Pandemic COVID-19, an update of current status and new therapeutic strategies

The global COVID-19 pandemic is underway. In recent weeks, several countries throughout the globe, and particularly in Europe, have experienced an exponential increase in the number of individuals infected with COVID-19, probably induced by a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, called the Omicron variant. Mass vaccination against COVID-19 continues worldwide. Are authorized mRNA vaccines effective against the new Omicron variant? Recently, several pharmaceutical companies have developed oral antiviral pills against SARS-CoV-2, i.e., molnupiravir and paxlovid, that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 viral replication by acting on the RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV. In pre-registration clinical trials, molnupiravir and paxlovid have shown excellent clinical efficacy results, but what impact will these new oral antiviral agents have against pandemic COVID-19? In what specific clinical situations are they preferred over other antivirals such as remdesivir? In this brief review, we explore these important aspects.

Automated summary

The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, with a rapid increase in infections in countries, particularly in Europe, likely due to the new Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Mass vaccination efforts are ongoing worldwide. Oral antiviral drugs such as molnupiravir and paxlovid have shown promising results in clinical trials, but their impact on the pandemic and their advantages over other antivirals like remdesivir need further investigation.