New COVID-19 antiviral to be tested in Mérida

Researchers hope that the experimental drug, called molnupiravir, will prove effective in the treatment of COVID-19. Photo: Courtesy

The American pharmaceutical company MSD is recruiting volunteers in Mérida for trials of a new orally administered antiviral drug targeting COVID-19. 

The experimental drug seeks to stop the COVID-19 virus from replicating inside the human body, thus leading to quicker recovery. 

“We are really excited to be entering this decisive phase in our research. This drug has the potential to help COVID-19 patients, especially those in the initial stages of the disease,” says Claudio González, director of SMD Mexico.

Drug trials are to be carried out on volunteers of both sexes over the age of 18 who have contracted COVID-19 in the last year and experienced at least one symptom. 

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The results of the drug trial are expected to be published for peer review in October.

This is not the first time that drug trials targeting COVID-19 have been held in Mérida. Last year, CanSino Biologics began testing its coronavirus vaccine in Yucatán in cooperation with the Mérida-based research institute Köhler & Milstein.

Accumulated coronavirus cases in Yucatán are close to 48,000; deaths overall have totaled 4,556 since April 2020.

Yesterday, Yucatán reported 19 COVID-19 deaths, the highest single-day number since the beginning of the virus’s third wave which began earlier this summer. 

Carlos Rosado van der Gracht
Carlos Rosado van der Gracht
Born in Mérida, Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican/Canadian blogger, photographer and adventure expedition leader. He holds degrees in multimedia, philosophy, and translation from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
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