- The treatment window for COVID is very narrow; this limits the value of even effective treatments.
- Molnupiravir effectiveness ~30%; Paxlovid seems more effective in trials, but the real world awaits.
- Molnupiravir is not transforming for Merck, but Paxlovid at worst means a major boost to Pfizer’s 2022 earnings.
- Both Molnupiravir and Paxlovid are expensive, and this will limit their adoption. Starpharma’s Viraleze nasal spray preventative/early treatment is priced for wide adoption.
- Vaccines are still the way to finish the pandemic.
For further details see:
Early Stage COVID Treatments: Merck's Molnupiravir Struggles