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Coronavirus Update: AbbVie Jumps Into Antiviral Research With Scripps Pact

 
• By Scrip Team

AbbVie is taking the plunge into the highly competitive area of antiviral research through a new alliance, while Pfizer files for US approval of an additional mRNA booster shot and a vaccines group is unhappy about planned IP waivers. 

WTO HQ
proposed WTO TRIPS vaccine waivers seen as insufficient by vaccine alliance • Source: Alamy

AbbVie Inc. is teaming up with non-profit Scripps Research to develop direct-acting anti-viral treatments for COVID-19. While drug development during the pandemic has focused mainly on vaccines, emerging antiviral treatments are gaining ground so AbbVie and Scripps must contend with the likes of Pfizer Inc.'s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ ritonavir), Merck & Co., Inc.'s Lagevrio (molnupiravir) and Gilead Sciences, Inc.'s Veklury (remdesivir) which are already available.

Paxlovid is expected to make $22bn this year, while Merck anticipates $5bn to $6bn in Lagevrio sales in the same period. The partners are optimistic, however. "We believe our SARS-CoV-2 research program has the potential to impact significantly the ongoing gaps in patient needs to move from pandemic to endemic COVID-19," said Scripps CEO Peter Schultz

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