Singapore has inked a supply and purchase agreement for an antiviral pill to treat Covid-19. The pill is said to be effective against all known variants of the virus, including Delta.
The drug was developed by pharmaceutical company Merck & Co in the United States and Canada, together with Miami-based Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. Merck is known as MSD elsewhere in the world.
MSD said yesterday that the drug will be available in Singapore once it has received authorisation and approval for use.
Known as molnupiravir, the drug targets an enzyme that the virus needs to make copies of itself by introducing errors into its genetic code. This enzyme, known as the viral polymerase, is conserved across different variants, making molnupiravir effective across the Gamma, Delta and Mu variants.
Data from clinical trials suggests the drug is most effective when given early in the course of infection, said MSD.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 07, 2021-Ausgabe von The New Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 07, 2021-Ausgabe von The New Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
UK expects 100,000 cases a day but no new measures for now
Britain’s government has rejected calls to trigger “Plan B” measures to limit spiralling Covid-19 infection rates, even as it warned that cases could reach as many 100,000 a day over the winter months.
Russia worried amid detection of Delta Plus
It is believed to be more contagious than Delta, may push rate of new cases up
Ronaldo a cautionary tale for Salah
United star’s recent club career suggests that Egyptian could be best served staying at Liverpool
Prive Group CEO punched teen, made lewd comments
He pleads guilty to assault, harassment in court for unprovoked attack in lift that left boy, 13, traumatised
Man's guilty plea for harassing bus driver set aside after charge disputed
A man who had earlier pleaded guilty in a district court to a harassment charge after he livestreamed a confrontation with an SBS bus driver has had his plea set aside.
Eateries frustrated by dining-in limit, seek more communication
Restaurateurs have greeted the extension of Covid-19 rules restricting dining-in to two people until Nov 21 with frustration and resignation.
Courier's error in delivering drug package lands volleyball coach in jail
A volleyball coach who used courier firm Lalamove to deliver a package containing methamphetamine to a drug abuser was caught after the deliveryman sent it to another flat by mistake.
Businesses in ‘deep despair and disrepair'
Latest extension of curbs could lead to more closures, job losses in retail sector
Biennial World Cup must be ‘beneficial to all'
Fifa chief Infantino aims to seek consensus over controversial plans
10 ART kits to be delivered to each household from today
From today, around 1,000 postmen will deliver 10 antigen rapid test (ART) kits to households islandwide.