Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Activity Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics of Non-nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
10:29

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Activity Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics of Non-nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Published on: May 9, 2025

1.6K

Molnupiravir: First Approval

Yahiya Y Syed1

  • 1Springer Nature, Mairangi Bay, Private Bag 65901, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand. dru@adis.com.

Drugs
|February 20, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Molnupiravir, an oral antiviral prodrug, was approved in the UK for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in at-risk adults. It works by inducing viral errors to inhibit RNA virus replication, marking a significant development milestone.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Molnupiravir is an orally-administered antiviral prodrug designed to inhibit RNA virus replication.
  • It functions by inducing errors during viral RNA replication, a novel mechanism of action.
  • Developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, it targets the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the key milestones in the development of molnupiravir.
  • To highlight the drug's journey leading to its first regulatory approval for COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of development milestones for molnupiravir.
  • Analysis of regulatory submissions and approvals.
  • Summary of the drug's mechanism of action and target indications.

Main Results:

  • Molnupiravir received its first approval in the UK on November 4, 2021.
  • The approval is for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults with risk factors for severe illness.
  • The drug has emergency use authorization or is filed for approval in multiple countries, including the USA, Japan, and EU nations.

Conclusions:

  • Molnupiravir represents a significant advancement in oral antiviral therapies for COVID-19.
  • The drug's development and approval milestones underscore its potential role in managing the pandemic.
  • Further regulatory reviews and market access are anticipated globally.

More Related Videos

Reverse Genetics to Engineer Positive-Sense RNA Virus Variants15:49

Reverse Genetics to Engineer Positive-Sense RNA Virus Variants

Published on: June 9, 2022

1.6K
Fluorescence-based Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay to Assess the Susceptibility of Influenza Viruses to The Neuraminidase Inhibitor Class of Antivirals09:31

Fluorescence-based Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay to Assess the Susceptibility of Influenza Viruses to The Neuraminidase Inhibitor Class of Antivirals

Published on: April 15, 2017

18.5K

Related Concept Videos

Subviral Agents01:29

Subviral Agents

Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...
157
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
12.7K
Drug Administration and Therapy Phases: Overview01:26

Drug Administration and Therapy Phases: Overview

Drugs, the chemical agents used in diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases, undergo a four-phase process of development: pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic.
The pharmaceutical phase focuses on leveraging the physicochemical properties of the drug to design and manufacture an effective product. Variants include orally administered tablets or capsules, topical creams or ointments, and parenteral-delivery solutions or emulsions.
The pharmacokinetic phase...
822
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
879
Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines01:15

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. They work by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is released by immune cells in response to allergenic substances or tissue injuries.
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
521
Pharmacovigilance01:19

Pharmacovigilance

Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
1.0K