US Invests 3.6 Trillion Won in Developing Oral COVID-19 Treatment

"If Early, First Therapeutic Product Commercialization Within the Year"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. government announced on the 17th (local time) that it will invest $3.2 billion (approximately 3.6 trillion KRW) to develop oral treatments for COVID-19.

The New York Times (NYT), CNBC, and others reported on the 17th (local time) that the U.S. Department of Health announced support measures for the development of pill-form COVID-19 treatments.

This program, named "The Antiviral Program for Pandemics," aims to develop treatments not only for COVID-19 but also for various viruses that could cause future pandemics.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said at a White House briefing that day, "We hope for a day when people with COVID-19 symptoms or positive test results can call their doctor to get a prescription and then buy the treatment at a pharmacy."

The U.S. government will first provide $3.2 billion in support to the pharmaceutical industry and plans to expedite clinical stages for treatments just as it did for vaccine development.

The U.S. government expects COVID-19 treatments to serve as a complement to vaccines. CNBC explained, "There are people whose immune systems do not respond even after vaccination, and currently, additional treatments are needed for confirmed cases."

Local media anticipate that the first oral treatment could be commercialized as early as this year. Pfizer began Phase 1 clinical trials for an oral COVID-19 treatment in March, and U.S. MSD is conducting clinical trials for a treatment taken twice daily for five days, similar to Tamiflu.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.