Pfizer recently stated that its COVID-19 pill, if used in combination with a HIV drug, will keep patients away from hospitalization and death by 89% in high-risk adults who were exposed to the virus.
The antiviral pill has proved that it is effective in treating COVID. If it gets the green light from the regulators, it wil definitely change our lives during the pandemic.
The CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, stated that the company wants to submit the data to the Food and Drug Administration – and that, before Thanksgiving. He stated: “I think this medicine will change the way things are happening right now that will save millions and millions of lives, it has the potential to do it. The company has the capacity right now of 500 million pills. The very high efficacy comes even to us as a surprise, exceeds our most visionary expectations we had for that.”
In morning trade, the company’s shares jumped by 8%.
The pill is scientifically known as PF-07321332, and it is part of a class known as protease inhibitors. They work by inhibiting an enzyme that the virus needs to replicate in our cells. Protease inhibitors are also used for treating HIV and hepatitis C.
The HIV drug slows the metabolism and Pfizer’s pill will remain active in the body for longer periods, and at higher concentrations.
The study was conducted on 1,219 adults who had at least one underlying medical condition and an infection. Patients were given a low dose of ritonavir, which is commonly used in combination with dugs that treat HIV. During the trail, out of 607 who received the pill and the HIV drug, there were six hospitalizations and zero deaths. 612 people received placebo, and there were 41 hospitalizations and 10 deaths.
