Pfizer begins Phase 1 trial for anti-COVID pill

American drugmaker Pfizer has started the Phase 1 trial for its capsule that would be a possible   cure for the coronavirus disease.

In Lei Alviz's report on "24 Oras,"  the Phase 1 trial for Pfizer's anti-COVID-19 pill, called PF-07321332, will be conducted on healthy adults in the United States.

According to the report, the pill is a protease inhibitor which binds to a viral enzyme and prevents SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 causative agent, from replicating in the cell.

Protease inhibitors are also effective in treating other diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C virus.

The anti-COVID-19 oral drug will also be a potential therapy that would be given to COVID-19 patients without hospitalization or critical care.

In an interview with CNBC, Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said the drug may be available in the US before 2021 ends if clinical trials show that the pill is effective for preventing COVID-19.

Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire, for her part, said they will be looking into the study. She added that once Pfizer completes its clinical trials and found that the drug is effective, Philippines will get access to the pill.

Philippines is also anticipating the arrival of 195,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines this year to aid its nationwide immunization program against COVID-19.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News