Merck & Co. is testing its antiviral pill Molnupiravir starting January 24, in a large British study to see if it can treat patients with COVID-19, in the midst of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant worldwide.
Scientists say that the RECOVERY trial will examine whether Molnupiravir would work in patients hospitalized with severe illnesses. The pill has already been approved in Britain for mild to moderate COVID-19.
The study is taking place across 177 NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom. Over 46,500 participants have taken part in the Molnupiravir study so far.
The RECOVERY Trial was launched in March 2020 as an urgent response to COVID-19. It has so far identified three successful treatments: Dexamethasone (a cheap steroid); Tocilizumab (a treatment for arthritis); and Ronapreve (an artificial antibody).
Clinical guidelines have been adopted worldwide based on these findings. Thousands of lives have probably been saved. The emergence of the Omicron variant, however, underlines the need to investigate potential treatments.
As a result of accumulating errors in the viral code, Molnupiravir, which was initially developed for influenza, prevents the virus from replicating.
In the UK, Molnupiravir has already been approved for the treatment of cancer patients who are at a high risk of developing severe disease due to mild COVID-19. However, it is unknown if it can benefit patients who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
The RECOVERY study evaluates the efficacy and safety of taking Molnupiravir (800 mg twice daily for five days) to treat adult patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Currently, Molnupiravir is being evaluated as an at-home treatment by the PANORAMIC Trial, which is being led by Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.
The RECOVERY Trial participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the standard of care plus one of the treatments or the standard of care alone.
This study is primarily focused on assessing whether these treatments reduce the risk of death among patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals.
The trial will also evaluate whether the treatment reduces hospital stays and mechanical ventilation requirements.
The first results are not likely to be available for several months.
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