To cut chance of drug resistance, Merck’s new Covid-19 pill must be coupled with other treatment, expert says
The Merck logo is seen at a gate to the Merck campus in Rahway, the US. Picture: REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID
Resistance occurs when viruses and bacteria evolve to blunt or defeat drugs’ mechanism of attack. It’s a constant concern for antivirals and antibiotics and has already been seen with Covid-19 treatments such as Eli Lilly & Co’s antibody therapy. Farrar suggested Merck’s pill would be no exception, despite optimism that it may be a potent new weapon to fight the pandemic.
Merck’s analysis has shown that the errors induced by the drug are spread more or less randomly throughout the viral genome. That means that the virus has fewer opportunities to develop mutant forms that will overcome those errors. Still, although Merck isn’t pursuing combinations right now, molnupiravir may be more effective if used with other drugs that prove successful, Kartsonis said. That may also lower the potential for resistance even further, he said.
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