How To Measure Benefit in a Changing Pandemic — Olgotrelvir for SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Since January 2020, there have been over 775 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 7 million deaths globally.1 Vaccinations and increased virologic exposure in the population have attenuated the nature of the clinical illness and reduced the severe outcomes associated with the early pandemic stages. However, there is ongoing global transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and evolution of variant strains, with the potential to cause more serious illness. Only limited antiviral options are available to reduce symptomatic illness and disease progression.2-4 Unlike monoclonal antibodies, which target epitopes on the viral surface, small-molecule antivirals such as those targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) are under different selective pressure and have the potential to remain active against rapidly emerging viral variants.