Coronavirus COVID-19: Vaccine, Drug and Treatment Updates

It has been almost a year that the entire world is fighting COVID-19 with the best of its abilities. Scientists and medical professionals are pushing their limits to find a cure at the earliest- a safe and effective vaccine. With all eyes on 2021, a year of hope and the end of speculations, people are eagerly waiting for the updates regarding coronavirus vaccine, drug, and treatment options.

Amid all the concerns, doubts, and apprehensions, Pfizer and BioNTech came up with the good news on 9th November 2020 that their mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, achieved success in the Phase-3 clinical study (first interim efficacy analysis). The vaccine has demonstrated signs of effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 in participants with no history of coronavirus infection.

Here are some of the highlights of the study:

• The clinical trial for the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate (BNT162b2) started on 27th July 2020 with 43,538 participants, coming from different ethnicity and racial backgrounds.
• Out of these 43,538 people, 38,955 have got their second dose on 8th November 2020.
• The mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate (BNT162b2) was found to be effective (90% efficacy) in the first interim analysis in preventing coronavirus infection in participants with no prior exposure to the virus.
• In the analysis, the researchers have examined 94 COVID-19 +ve cases.
• Vaccination with Pfizer’s Chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla, was elated to announce the positive results related to the efficiency of the vaccine. He said that it is a critical milestone in the domain of vaccine development when a vaccine is the only thing the world is eagerly waiting for. And with numbers of cases rising and the life and livelihood struggling to revive, the success of the vaccine is a much-needed discovery to put a full-stop to this pandemic.
• On 12th December 2020, the U.S. CDC Committee of Independent Health Experts came with another good news. The authority announced that the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine candidate is safe for humans (16 years of age or more) under the EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, USA).

Here, we have rounded up some of the most promising drugs and treatment options for COVID-19. Let’s have a look at them:

Remdesivir

It is administered as an infusion since antiviral medication has not worked in the treatment of Ebola virus infection previously. However, it has shown promising results in fighting certain coronavirus, in light of animal studies. As far as COVID-19 is concerned, Remdesivir has shown a considerable decrease in the time of recovery in hospitalised patients (first random trial) in comparison to the placebo effect. Hence, it shows that the drug does affect the coronavirus.

Therefore, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved Remdesivir in October 2020 to treat hospitalised COVID-19 +ve patients, making Remdesivir the only medication for the condition.

Virus-targeted monoclonal antibodies

Virus-targeted monoclonal antibodies is a therapy that uses virus-counterbalancing antibodies taken from recovered coronavirus infected patients. It is a type of treatment and could be possible prophylactics when it comes to a dependable treatment for COVID-19. It was AbCellera Biologics, a reputed biotechnology company, that first announced the beginning of the clinical trials. Later on, in August, AstraZeneca also announced the clinical trials.

LY-CoV555

Lilly, along with its partner brand AbCellera, is testing their virus-targeted monoclonal antibodies therapy in 40 hospitalised coronavirus infected people (in the US safety initial trial). These people do not need a breathing support system (ventilator) and have not got the convalescent plasma treatment. In August, they also announced a phase 3 trial in healthcare facilities with around 2,400 participants. Owing to the positive outcomes, Lilly applied for approval (emergency use) in October.

Actemra (tocilizumab)

A monoclonal antibody is recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and cytokine storm (a life-threatening response of the immune system) in some cancer patients getting a given therapy. In some weak patients, the coronavirus infection can also trigger such a response. So, Actemra (tocilizumab) is used for targeting interleukin-6 orIL-6 (a cytokine that plays a significant role in swelling and infection). According to the trial data, Actemra is found to decrease the requirement of intensive care.

Hydroxychloroquine / chloroquine

It is believed that Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug that is also used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, also shows anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It has also been found that it blocked the entry of SARS-CoV-2 inside the cells, according to in-vitro research. French research also said that in some coronavirus infected people have shown signs of improvement. However, it was not clear if Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine has led to improvement or not.

Healthcare experts from all across the globe have warned that Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine should not be used or sold without a prescription as it could lead to life-threatening conditions.

Plasma therapy or convalescent plasma

Doctors used blood plasma from already recovered coronavirus infected people and transfused the same into the people who are still COVID-19 +ve. They believed that new antibodies made in the bodies of the recovered patients would help them fight the infection. It is a time and tested method with no or negligible side effects. According to a large-scale study report published in August, the treatment did help in reducing the mortality risk in coronavirus infected patients. So, far plasma therapy or convalescent plasma is one of the most effective treatments if used in the early stage of the infection.

Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir)

Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) is a combination of antivirals. It is generally used for preventing and treating HIV infections. As many as 20 trials tested this medication as a treatment for coronavirus infection or as prevention (post-exposure) in high-risk people (who are in close contact with COVID-19 +ve people).

In the end — All fingers crossed!

These are some of the most promising medications and therapies being used for treating and preventing COVID-19 infection. With the year 2021 approaching, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and wait for the day when we are finally getting the cure for COVID-19 and welcoming life once again.