The recent outbreak of Covid-19 has spurred unprecedented efforts towards rapid drug discovery and development. Amid these ongoing attempts, Molnupiravir, an oral antiviral drug, has shown promising results in phase 3 clinical trials. It’s been found to cut the risk of hospitalisation in Covid-19 patients by half.
Molnupiravir in the Spotlight
Recently making news, Molnupiravir is being hailed as a potential game-changer in the fight against Covid-19. In India, the Optimus Group announced promising results of phase 3 clinical trials. It was observed that 91.5% of patients administered with the drug tested RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) negative. The drug’s success in these tests puts it at the forefront of potential effective treatments for Covid-19.
Understanding Molnupiravir
Molnupiravir belongs to a class of broad spectrum antiviral drugs known as nucleoside analogues. These drugs work by interfering with the function of viral RNA (Ribonucleic Acids) polymerases – enzymes that create new viral RNA in infected cells.
RNA is a vital biological macromolecule present in all living cells. It plays a main role in protein synthesis, carrying instructions from Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), which holds the genetic blueprint required for life’s development and maintenance.
Interestingly, Molnupiravir was initially developed to combat the influenza virus. However, its broad-spectrum antiviral properties have made it a viable candidate for treating Covid-19.
How Does Molnupiravir Work?
Molnupiravir operates by causing the virus to make errors when replicating its own RNA, thus introducing mutations that inhibit further replication. Its mechanism of action stems from its ability to disrupt the process of viral replication within human cells.
A virus is a biological agent that can self-replicate inside a host cell. Infected cells may produce thousands of new virus copies at an extraordinary rate. Molnupiravir alters the critical enzymes necessary for the virus to replicate in human body cells, thus curbing its spread.
Current Status and Administration
Despite the promising results, the drug currently awaits Emergency Use Authorization. Once approved, it can be administered orally as a pill in a 5-day regimen. This short treatment period, along with the drug’s potential efficacy, makes Molnupiravir a beacon of hope amid the ongoing pandemic.
Patients around the world are eagerly anticipating further developments regarding the use of Molnupiravir against Covid-19. As researchers continue their work, this oral antiviral drug offers a glimpse of light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel.
