SC Connecticut News

In a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Karen S. Anderson, PhD, professor of pharmacology and of molecular biophysics & biochemistry at Yale School of Medicine, along with her colleagues, have identified a potential alternative to Paxlovid for treating COVID-19 in immunocompromised individuals. By combining molnupiravir with a new antiviral compound developed in the lab, the researchers have found a promising new treatment option. Anderson stated, "A combination of two antiviral compounds may be a promising alternative to Paxlovid when treating COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients."

The study demonstrated that this new drug combination was highly effective in treating humanized mice infected with SARS-CoV-2, leading to universal recovery from the disease. If these results are replicated in clinical trials, it could significantly improve the treatment options available for immunocompromised individuals battling COVID-19.

The research at Yale University towards developing antivirals for COVID-19 stemmed from previous work on HIV, as explained by Anderson. She mentioned, "At the time, there were really no therapies...Everyone was desperate to find something." The team's efforts led to the discovery of a compound that, when combined with molnupiravir, showed promising results in reducing viral load and increasing survival rates in infected mice.

Despite the potential of this new drug combination, Anderson expressed concerns about the pharmaceutical industry's interest in advancing it to clinical trials. She noted, "The problem is that people’s attention is turned away from COVID. They may no longer think it’s a problem." However, with the ongoing emergence of new COVID variants and the heightened risk the disease poses to immunocompromised individuals, a more potent alternative to existing treatments like molnupiravir could be crucial in the fight against the virus.

Looking ahead, Anderson emphasized the importance of being prepared for future viral diseases. She stated, "We were so caught off guard with [the COVID-19] pandemic in terms of having something that works. This work might put us a step forward in future pandemics." The potential of the new antiviral compounds extends beyond COVID-19, showing effectiveness in reducing viral load for other coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-1.

The study involved several contributors, including research scientists Christina Papini, Irfan Ullah, William Jorgensen, Priti Kumar, and others. Their collaborative efforts offer hope for a better COVID-19 treatment for immunocompromised individuals and pave the way for future advancements in antiviral research.