Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced on Tuesday that it had requested emergency authorization in the United States of Paxlovid, its pill against the coronavirus, 89% effective according to clinical trials.
This treatment, an antiviral that works by decreasing the ability of a virus to replicate, could be taken at home for the first few days after the onset of symptoms in case of infection to prevent severe forms of the disease.
How does this pill work?
What are the first results?
When will it be available?
20 Minutes
takes stock.
Will we soon be able to take a drug at home in the event of a positive coronavirus test?
In any case, this is the bet of the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer which filed on Tuesday an emergency authorization request in the United States for its anti-Covid pill, Paxlovid.
The American pharmaceutical company, which already markets with the German BioNTech one of the most effective vaccines on the market against the coronavirus, is betting on a drug, intended to prevent severe forms of the disease, and therefore reduce hospitalizations and deaths .
How does this pill work?
What are the first results?
When will it be available?
20 Minutes
takes stock.
How does Pfizer's anti-Covid pill Paxlovid work?
This pill, an oral antiviral treatment that goes by the name of "Paxlovid" - or PF-07321332 -, allows "to block the activity of the protease SARS-CoV-2-3CL, an enzyme that the coronavirus needs to replicate. », Explains Pfizer in a press release published on its site in early November. It could be given in combination with ritonavir, a medicine used against the AIDS virus. "Co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir helps to slow down the metabolism, or breakdown", of Paxlovid "so that it remains active in the body for longer periods of time at higher concentrations to help fight the virus », Continues the laboratory.
This tablet could be "prescribed at the first sign of infection or awareness of exposure, potentially helping patients avoid serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and death," the company adds. American.
What are the results of clinical trials?
According to the results of the clinical trial, which started at the end of September, the Pfizer pill is 89% effective in preventing the risk of hospitalization or death. The first results of the American laboratory are based on the observation of a panel of just over 1,200 adults who have contracted the coronavirus and who are at risk of developing a serious case of the disease. Within a few days of onset of symptoms, some received the Pfizer pill and others received a placebo. They received one or the other for five days, once every twelve hours.
“The interim analysis showed an 89% reduction in the risk of Covid-19-related hospitalization and death from any cause, compared to placebo, in patients treated within three days of onset. symptoms, ”detailed the American company.
“Similar” results were seen in patients treated within five days of symptom onset.
A total of ten people died among the patients who received the placebo, compared with zero deaths in the group that received the treatment.
Which countries will it be sold to?
Probably first in the United States.
On Tuesday, the pharmaceutical giant announced that it had filed an emergency authorization request with the United States Medicines Agency (FDA).
But that's not all.
Accused of having privileged profits, by selling its vaccine to countries which can afford it, Pfizer announced on Tuesday that it had signed a voluntary license agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), created by Unitaid. which should make it possible to disseminate its pill, if it is authorized, beyond rich countries.
Generic drug makers "who are sublicensed will be able to supply the new drug in combination with Ritonavir to 95 countries, covering up to about 53% of the world's population," a Unitaid spokesperson said. , Hervé Verhoosel.
Our file on the coronavirus
According to this agreement, all lower and lower middle income countries, upper middle income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and upper middle income countries that have achieved this status in the past five years are affected.
In addition, the pharmaceutical giant will not receive royalties on sales in low-income countries or countries covered by the agreement, as long as the coronavirus is considered a public health emergency by the World Health Organization ( WHO).
Are there similar treatments?
Yes, Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug developed by Pfizer's competitor, US pharmaceutical giant Merck. According to a clinical trial, this treatment halves the risk of hospitalization if administered to patients within days of a positive test. The drug was authorized in early November in the United Kingdom.
The pharmaceutical giant has also filed an emergency authorization request in the United States, which will be examined on November 30 by the United States Medicines Agency (FDA).
Washington has already purchased 3.1 million treatments from Merck, even before the green light from health authorities.
In France, the government has already ordered 50,000 doses of this pill at the end of October, said Olivier Véran, the Minister of Health.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) launched a fast-track review of Molnupiravir in early November.
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Pfizer-BioNTech
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