Merck Seeks Authorization From US Regulators for Antiviral COVID-19 Treatment

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Merck and its partner on Monday announced they filed an emergency use authorization application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their oral antiviral medicine for the treatment of COVID-19.

The pill is meant to combat cases of mild or moderate COVID-19.

Merck said last week that an interim analysis of its phase 3 trial studying the drug showed it was effective in cutting the risk of hospitalization, a key measure in COVID-19 treatments.

The antiviral, molnupiravir, cut the risk of hospitalization or death in half for adults who were deemed at risk but not hospitalized, according to a summary Merck released.

The results were touted by the companies and a number of experts, including former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.

โ€œThis is a phenomenal result. I mean, this is a profound game changer, to have an oral pill that had this kind of effect, this magnitude of effect in patients who are at high risk who are already symptomatic,โ€ Gottlieb said on CNBCโ€™s โ€œSquawk Box.โ€

But full results have not yet been published and other experts have said theyโ€™re worried about how the pill attacks the virus.

Molnupiravir embeds itself in the virusโ€™s genetic material and causes a high number of mutations, ultimately overwhelming it to extinction, a process known as lethal mutagenesis.

Researchers have said that the method carries risk potential because โ€œthe same mutagenic activity that impacts viral replication has the potential for incorporation and mutagenesis of host DNA,โ€ which could contribute to the development of cancer or cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Thatโ€™s what happened during testing of NHC, the compound molnupiravir creates.

โ€œThere is a concern that this will cause long-term mutation effects, even cancer,โ€ Dr. Shuntai Zhou, a scientist at the Swanstrom Lab at the University of North Carolina,ย told Barronโ€™s.

Byย Zachary Stieber

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Now Lawyers Are Looking for the Epstein List, Too!

So it turns out that when FBI Director Kash...

Remember Epsteinโ€™s โ€œLittle Black Booksโ€?

Image of Bill Clinton getting a massage from Jeffrey...

On the Major Leagueโ€™s periphery: A major trip through the minors

For Nick Dunn, the trek through the minors is a trifecta of physical, mental, and organizational hurdles filled with politics, roster volatility, and injuries.

Private Citizens are Now Looking into Epstein Client List

Most Americans have never felt so betrayed and confused by a president and his admin as they are by the Trump admin over the Epstein client list issue.

Peace In Ukraine Wonโ€™t End The Westโ€™s Hybrid War On Russia

The Westโ€™s Hybrid War on Russia to follow peace in Ukraine is inevitable due to neoconservatives and liberal-globalists in its decision-making ecosystem.

DOJ Shuts Down Investigation on T-Mobile-UScellular Merger

DOJ no longer opposes the merger of T-Mobile and UScellular and has closed its investigation into the matter, the department said in a July 10 statement.

Trump Visits Central Texas, Epicenter of Catastrophic Flood That Killed More Than 120

President Trump landed in Central Texas for first-hand look at damage from devastating flood claiming the lives of more than 120 people statewide.

Federal Judge Blocks Trumpโ€™s Birthright Citizenship Order After Supreme Court Ruling

Judge barred Trump admin from enforcing EO limiting birthright citizenship, after Supreme Court restricted judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.

California Might Stop Making Necessary Debt Payments for 2 Years

California State Legislature met the budget submission deadline and it was signed by the governor, but they still need to cut $12 billion in spending.

Trump Says US Has Struck Deal With NATO to Supply Weapons to Ukraine

President Donald Trump said on July 10 that he has struck a new deal with NATO under which the United States will supply weapons to Ukraine

RFK Jr. Bans Illegal Immigrants From Government-Funded Programs

HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rescinding a 1998 interpretation of a law that allowed illegal immigrants to access certain government-funded programs.

Rubio Set to Visit Malaysia for ASEAN Meetings Amid Tariff Tensions

A delegation including U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for series of high-profile meetings between July 11 and 12.

US Will Collect More Than $300 Billion in Tariff Revenues This Year, Treasury Secretary Says

U.S. is on track to potentially raise โ€œwell over $300 billionโ€ in tariff income by end of the year, Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said during WH Cabinet meeting.
spot_img

Related Articles