An international team of scientists have identified antibodies that neutralize omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. These antibodies target areas of the virus spike protein that remain essentially unchanged as the viruses mutate.

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has issued advice on the use of Paxlovid (PF-07321332 and ritonavir) for the treatment of COVID-19. The medicine, which is not yet authorised in the EU, can be used to treat adults with COVID-19 who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk of progressing to severe disease. Paxlovid should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within 5 days of the start of symptoms. The two active substances of the medicine, PF-07321332 and ritonavir, which are available as separate tablets, should be taken together twice a day for 5 days.

BOSTON – A team of scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has conducted one of the first comparisons of how effectively each of the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved in the United States stimulates a protective immune response against the virus. This study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, also includes an analysis of data from several other studies on how well each vaccine guards against breakthrough cases of COVID-19, or infections that occur in people who have received the inoculations.

Vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been made possible by an unprecedented worldwide collaboration. But medications against Covid-19 have as yet seen only partial success. With the support of the Bavarian Research Foundation, a Munich research team has developed a protein which has reliably prevented infection by the virus and its variants in cell culture tests.