On Friday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said 10 new cases of the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, have been detected in the national capital, taking the tally to 20. Meanwhile, India’s tally of Omicron cases jumped over 100.
With the new variant now reported in six continents, calls to vaccinate the global population is once again picking pace.
While vaccine manufacturers are working on exploring the efficacy and potency of vaccines against Omicron, we try to track the status of drugs that have been developed to fight Covid-19. These antiviral pills could act as a barrier against the rising cases of Covid-19, which is still largely dominated by the Delta variant.
Pfizer said earlier this week that Paxlovid appears effective against the new Omicron variant. (File pic)
MOLNUPIRAVIR
What is the Molnupiravir Covid-19 pill?
Developed by Merck & Co, Molnupiravir is an anti-viral pill that inserts tiny errors into the coronavirus’ genetic code to stop it from reproducing. In its latest phase three trials, the pill was able to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death in at-risk, unvaccinated adults. The results of the clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the risk of hospitalisation for any cause or death through day 29 was lower with Molnupiravir.
Availability in India and world
Merck has said that it expects to produce 10 million courses of treatment by the end of 2021, with at least 20 million courses to be produced in 2022. The pill, first approved by Britain to be used against Covid-19, has now received authorisation from Denmark as well amid hopes of the US’s approval soon.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended that patients begin treatment with the Merck tablet – branded as Lagevrio in the EU – within five days of first symptoms for adults who do not need oxygen support and are at risk of their disease worsening.
India is yet to issue any guidelines over the use of Molnupiravir.
Is it effective against Omicron?
While Merck is yet to test its drug against the Omicron variant, the pharma company said that it should have some potency based on its effectiveness against other strains of coronavirus.
Scientists at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa, work on the omicron variant of the Covid-19. (Photo: AP)
PAXLOVID
What is Paxlovid Cvid-19 drug?
Developed by Pfizer, Paxlovid is an antiviral therapy, which is designed to block the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 protease, an enzyme that the coronavirus needs to replicate. Pfizer said that co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir helps slow the metabolism, or breakdown, of the protease in order for it to remain active in the body for longer periods of time at higher concentrations to help combat the virus.
Results from phase-II, III clinical trials showed that Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death by 89 per cent.
Availability in India and world
The European Union drug regulator issued advice, earlier this week, on the use of Pfizer’s experimental pill to treat Covid-19 to countries where authorities may want to use it before it is officially authorised amid surging infection rates. The European Medicines Agency said the medicine, which is not yet authorised for use in the 27-nation EU, “can be used to treat adults with Covid-19 who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk of progressing to severe disease.”
Pfizer has already asked the US government to authorise the pill, known as Paxlovid, based on a preliminary batch of data. The company has said 1,80,000 courses of the treatment will be ready in the US if Paxlovid is authorised as it commits approximately $1 billion to support the manufacturing and distribution of this investigational treatment.
The pill is yet to be approved in India.
Is it effective against Omicron?
Pfizer said earlier this week that Paxlovid appears effective against the new Omicron variant that is currently sweeping through the United Kingdom and has been detected in dozens more countries around the world.
RONAPREVE
What is Ronapreve Covid-19 cocktail?
Ronapreve is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, casirivimab and imdevimab developed jointly by Roche and Regeneron. The cocktail has been designed to block the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, by binding to the critical receptor binding domain of the virus’s spike protein. The cocktail drug diminishes the ability of mutant viruses to escape treatment and to protect against spike variants that may arise. Data from preclinical studies showed that Ronapreve retained neutralisation activity against key emerging variants.
The antibody cocktail can be administered for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease in adults and pediatric patients, who are confirmed to be infected with SARS-COV-2.
Availability in India and world
Ronapreve is available in India with Roche India and Cipla Limited supplying the first batch in May this year. The company said that in total they can potentially benefit 2,00,000 patients as each of the 1,00,000 packs that will be available in India offers treatment for two patients. The price for each patient dose has been kept at Rs 59,750.
Is it effective against Omicron?
The company is yet to issue any detail if the vaccine can combat the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
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