Coronavirus | Discussion

I just found something useful, useful for everyone.

Namely info on how to get COVID risk factors and by that data for a proper individual risk/benefit analyses for the vaccines.

"Underlying Medical Conditions and Severe Illness Among 540,667 Adults Hospitalized With COVID-19, March 2020–March 2021"
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2021/21_0123.htm

So to all who have a problem and are pointing on those unvaxxed and are spreading further fear or any form of patronization.....they should be aware that one could also point to the obese.

Also anxiety (fear mongering) is very contra productive....

At least then everybody should be clear that pointing with fingers is no appropriate human behavior.

 

I have a new favorite vaccine (candidate) SCB-2019 from Clover. (Within all COVID vaccines, does not mean that I advocate those vaccines, though).
https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/clover-covid-19-vaccine-global-supply/

A protein based antigen also (such as Novavax) but based on a well known aluminium based adjuvant (CpG 1018/Alum).

This is actually similar to the German Stöcker vaccine. (AFAIK Stöcker uses RBD, though).

It's for those who strictly deny a tech without long term safety data, but still want a vaccine which can rely on former scientific experience, because this type of vaccine and the adjuvant are well known.

Here is the presentation (be aware company presentations do always come with bias).

IMHO it's a relatively good one. The odd thing is, though, it's also still based on the old Wuhan spike. It has the advantage to Novavax that their adjuvant is new (Matrix M) and the one of Clover is well known (Alum)
https://www.cloverbiopharma.com/upload/pdf/SPECTRA-Data-Presentation_2021.09.22_FINAL_EN.pdf

 

Even medical journals are affected in the meantime.
They rather 'accept' studies on new stuff where's big money behind than studies on off-patent drugs.

 

I have already posted about Merck's Molnupiravir.

It targets RdRp, an enzyme which is needed for viral (RNA) replication.
Molnupiravir delivers 'fake bricks' to the RdRp which it uses then to replicate viral RNA.

As result there is a viral mutation which causes the new virus to be disabled. (In theory).
IVM also targets RdRp, but IVM has at least 4 other additional mechanisms of action. IVM doesn't deliver those fake bricks but disrupts the RdRp enzyme itself. And it also has anti-inflammatory properties, since the critical phase at COVID is a process of inflammation, an unique benefit.

AFAIK Merck developed Molnupiravir against influenza, which is also a RNA virus. But never got it there.
It is really ironic, that especially Merck who also developed IVM comes now up with Molnupiravir, promoting it as game changer.

There is only one reason. It is new and still under patent. But their own IVM is far superior. Off-patent, no money to make.

Yeah, well. Who could know that an anti-parasite can have several mechanisms against SARS-COV-2? When they developed IVM there was no COVID yet.

But to suppress their own IVM while promoting new stuff.....is more than questionable.
It costs lives, whether Molnupiravir becomes a game changer or not.....it takes time...

 

For all who are interested.
To the question "ingredients".

Molnupiravir is a single drug. A certain organic molecule.
It looks like:


It acts as a pro-drug, means the body synthesizes the active drug itself from it. This active drug then delivers 'fake bricks' to the enzyme that is responsible for viral RNA replication. It's called RdRp.
It's like you are building a house. But someone sabotages your intend delivering faulty bricks. As result your house will be useless.

IVM looks like this:


It is also a drug, but it consists of 2 similar molecules. Additionally it is assumed that the body synthesizes a great variety of other drugs from them which even have got a longer half life.
The effect on RdRp is different.
Instead of delivering fake bricks it disrupts the RdRp itself.

You are building your house with good bricks, but your work power is sabotaged. But this is one of at least 4 different mechanisms only.

Everyone can notice that IVM is a more complex molecule. This usually comes along with a greater variety of different mechanisms of actions.

So people who are laughing about a horse de-wormer being good against SARS-CoV-2 don't have a clue about pharmacology at all.
Molecules can have different pharmacological attributes. And since this is more complex, the variety is also more complex.

I tried to use simple terms. For those who are pro, I am aware that this post is very simplified.
Enjoy.

Edit: Source of molecules is Wikipedia.