Georgia State University scientists have named the antiviral drug 4482 / EIDD-2801 or molnupiravir effective in suppressing the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus for 24 hours. This is reported in an article published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
Researchers initially found that the agent was effective against influenza viruses and had a broad spectrum of action against RNA viruses. Molnupiravir can be taken by mouth, so treatment against viral infections early on has the potential to offer several benefits. It prevents COVID-19 from progressing to serious illness, shortens the duration of the infection and can reduce the infectiousness of patients.
Scientists tested the effect of lightnupiravir on ferrets infected with SARS-CoV-2, which spread the virus easily, but in most cases do not suffer from severe symptoms, which is similar to the nature of infection in young people. Animals with the virus were placed in the same cage with healthy ferrets, after which treatment was started. As a result, no animal without the virus became infected.
If confirmed, COVID-19 patients who receive molnupiravir may become non-infectious within 24 hours of starting treatment.