Merck's Covid-19 pill active against Omicron in lab studies
Pfizer said in December lab data suggested its drug Paxlovid retained its effectiveness against Omicron
Merck & Co Inc and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said on Friday six lab studies showed their experimental oral Covid-19 drug molnupiravir was active against the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
The data evaluated the antiviral activity of molnupiravir and other Covid-19 antiviral agents against Covid-19 variants of concern. Molnupiravir is yet to be studied against Omicron in human studies, the companies said.
Molnupiravir and a rival oral pill from Pfizer Inc were authorized in the United States in December and are considered as important tools against Omicron.
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Pfizer said in December lab data suggested its drug Paxlovid retained its effectiveness against Omicron.
Merck said earlier this month its pill has a mechanism that can work against Omicron and any other variant.
Molnupiravir has been authorized for use in more than 10 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Japan.
