COVID-19 drug could cause new variants, study says

26 September 2023
merck_molnupiravir_8_capsules_white_large

Molnupiravir, an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 marketed by US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) under the name Lagevrio, could in fact lead to the virus mutating, according to a research article.

This article, authored by seven scientists and published in the journal Nature, states that if some patients treated with molnupiravir do not fully clear SARS-CoV-2 infections, there could be the potential for onward transmission of molnupiravir-mutated viruses.

The scientists say that they are able to show that SARS-CoV-2 sequencing databases contain extensive evidence of molnupiravir mutagenesis.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free.  A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Login to your account

Become a subscriber

 

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now
  • Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
  • Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
  • Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
  • Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
  • Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription
The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK

Companies featured in this story

More ones to watch >


Today's issue

Company Spotlight





More Features in Pharmaceutical