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Pfizer was one of the companies to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine, and now they could be releasing a potential cure in pill form later this year.
The drug, PF-07321332, is designed to prevent the virus from developing in the nose, throat, and lungs, according to the Telegraph.
“We have designed PF-07321332 as a potential oral therapy that could be prescribed at the first sign of infection, without requiring that patients are hospitalized or in critical care,” Mikael Dolsten, who leads the company’s worldwide research, development, and medical division, said in a statement.
Trials are underway to take a look at potential side effects and more trials must take place before it is released.
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The coronavirus originated from animals and a majority of those who were infected early either worked at or frequently visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in Wuhan, according to The Guardian. The virus is similar to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers).
The Wuhan coronavirus is transmitted from person to person through “droplet transmission.” That means an infected person can pass the virus by sneezing or coughing on another person as well as by direct contact.
While a majority of the cases have been detected in the United States and China — with more than 32.2 million confirmed cases and 572,000 deaths in the United States — it has now reached many countries around the world. It has also been confirmed in Italy, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and many other eastern countries.
