Prognosis
U.K. Starts Trials for Covid Antiviral Drugs as Omicron Spreads
- National study planning to recruit up to 10,600 participants
- Researchers will start by testing Merck’s antiviral drug
Merck’s antiviral drug, molnupiravir
Source: Merck
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A U.K. trial testing the effectiveness of antiviral Covid-19 drugs in broad populations has started recruiting those infected with the virus, as the government looks for ways to keep people out of hospitals in the face of new variants.
The study -- run by researchers from the University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research -- is looking to enroll as many as 10,600 volunteers, according to a statement from the partners Wednesday. The trial will start by assessing Merck & Co.’s molnupiravir, which has already been authorized for use by the U.K. drugs regulator.