Infectious diseases expert Diana Florescu, MD, is recruiting participants for a clinical trial at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).

This research study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir for the prevention of COVID-19 in asymptomatic adults residing with a person with COVID-19. 

How molnupiravir works

Antiviral drugs like molnupiravir attack an invading virus. Molnupiravir causes the SARS-CoV-2 virus to make mistakes every time it tries to copy itself. If the virus can't replicate, it can't spread – and the immune system can easily fight it off.

The key is stopping a virus early before it has a chance to multiply out of control.

"The earlier you start an intervention, the better," says Dr. Florescu.

Potential different use for molnupiravir

This is not the first clinical trial for molnupiravir done at UNMC. Dr. Florescu, as principal investigator, was part of a phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate if molnupiravir was safe and effective to treat COVID-19. The study included non-hospitalized people with mild to moderate COVID-19.

According to a company press release for this phase 3 clinical trial, molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50% compared to placebo. The clinical trial results are still under review by experts in the field, after which the results are expected to be published.

Can molnupiravir prevent COVID-19?

“People living with a SARS-COV-2-infected individual are at high risk of developing COVID-19,” explains Dr. Florescu. “They have extended close proximity with someone shedding a high amount of virus.”

A study in mice showed that molnupiravir significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness. In other words, when given preventatively, molnupiravir protected mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Join the research study

This is a double-blind study, meaning that neither the participants nor the study staff will know if they're receiving the treatment or a placebo. Each participant will be randomized either to molnupiravir or placebo for five days and remain in the study for approximately 28 days. 

The clinical study is seeking participants who:

• Are 19 years or older
• Did not have confirmed or suspected COVID-19
• Live in a household with a person with documented symptomatic COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with symptoms)

If you're interested in enrolling, you can email the research team at FlorescuResearchTeam@unmc.edu. You can also call 402.836.9265 or 402.559.8929. The team is seeking to recruit 10 participants.

The name of the research study is Study of MK-4482 for Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Adults (MK-4482-013) (MOVe-AHEAD). Find out more about the research study using this ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04939428. The IRB number is 465-21-CB.