Merck’s COVID pill is effective against variants by attacking the enzyme, not spike protein

Merck has been working hard to create a pill to prevent and treat COVID, and they are now saying it’s effective against variants.

Head of infectious disease and vaccines Jay Grobler says it works the best if given to patients when they’re early in the illness.

Lab studies data shows effectiveness against the Delta variant, one of the most transmissible variants that’s evaded vaccines.

The pill is in phase three trials and scientists say it’s effective due to the fact that it does not target the spike protein of the virus- something that has been different in every variant.

The pill works by targeting the enzyme that makes copies of the virus then creates errors to the genetic code.

Staff Report

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