New antiviral works against coronaviruses in mice, but human testing will have to wait

During the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines were the main line of defense. Startlingly effective shots quickly helped immunize a large portion of the population — at least initially, and in high-income countries.

Antiviral treatments were not as impactful. Remdesivir requires transfusions, which made it difficult to access; Paxlovid is easier to obtain, but has more unpleasant side effects, and carries the risk of rebound. Molnupiravir is taken orally, but is less effective than the other options.

Yet the need for effective antivirals remains even with strong vaccines, to protect people who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or otherwise unable to build an antibody response to a vaccine.

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