The safety and efficacy of oral antiviral drug VV116 for treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Jul 7;102(27):e34105. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034105.

Abstract

Background: Recent trials have highlighted the potential of oral antiviral VV116 in the treatment of patients with mild COVID-19. However, no comprehensive studies have assessed the safety and efficacy of VV116. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to assess the safety and efficacy of VV116.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar websites, with a cutoff date of March 23, to identify pertinent studies.

Results: The results from the 3 included studies indicated that no serious adverse events were reported in the VV116 experimental groups, which exhibited a 2.57-day faster time to viral shedding than the control group and demonstrated non-inferiority to the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir control group in alleviating major symptoms.

Discussion: Collectively, available studies suggest a reliable safety and efficacy profile for VV116. However, the limited number of trials was insufficient for meta-analysis, and the included population consisted of younger individuals with mild and moderate symptoms, not encompassing the elderly who are severely affected by COVID-19. We hope that more studies will be conducted in the future to ensure that VV116 has a more reliable safety and efficacy profile in the clinical setting, especially in severe or critical patients.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Ritonavir / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • GS-621763
  • Ritonavir