A new antiviral could become available in the community as part of a major trial, it was announced today.
Paxlovid is already used for the care of several immunocompromised patients and, according to clinical trials, can reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death.
It is now to be part of a study evaluation community use of antivirals, especially among people who have already been vaccinated.
The Panoramic study is claimed as the fastest ever developed clinical trial of its kind. It has recruited 20,000 patients in three months as part of the evaluation of molnupavir.
It is open to those over the age of 50 or younger adults with underlying health conditions.
The study is being run by the University of Oxford in collaboration with a number of GP hubs.
The clinical lead Professor Chris Butler said: “It is early on in the illness, when people are still being cared for in the community, that treatments for COVID could have their greatest benefit. The PANORAMIC trial is testing whether novel, promising antiviral treatments help people suffering from COVID in the community to recover faster and reduce the need for treatment in hospital.
“It is critically important that new treatments are tested on people and in the situation where they are intended to be used. Joining the PANORAMIC trial will help ensure people with COVID, and indeed the NHS, get the maximum benefit from these precious treatments.”
Fellow chief investigator Professor Paul Little, of the University of Southampton, said: “The PANORAMIC trial is one of the most ambitious ever undertaken in the community worldwide. The inclusion of Paxlovid in the trial is an exciting addition that will provide vital information about treatments to help the most vulnerable people in the ongoing fight against COVID.”
Professor Nick Lemoine, from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, added: “While smaller-scale studies have already shown this new antiviral treatment to be highly effective against COVID in the early stages of infection, additional evidence from much larger cohorts is needed to enable clinicians and health services to make best use of these exciting new treatments.
“With over 23,000 participants having taken part in PANORAMIC so far – the world’s largest platform trial into new antiviral treatments against COVID – collectively the UK is providing vital additional data which will enable rapid deployment and best use of these new potentially life-saving treatments to patients who will benefit from them the most.”
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