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Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir + remdesivir
This combination uses nirmatrelvir/ritonavir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 protease and remdesivir to inhibit viral RNA polymerase, targeting two critical steps of viral replication.
This combination uses nirmatrelvir/ritonavir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 protease and remdesivir to inhibit viral RNA polymerase, targeting two critical steps of viral replication. Used for COVID-19 (phase 3 evaluation).
At a glance
| Generic name | Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir + remdesivir |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | UMC Utrecht |
| Drug class | Antiviral combination (protease inhibitor + nucleotide analog) |
| Target | SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease; SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Virology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Nirmatrelvir is a protease inhibitor that blocks the 3CL protease enzyme required for SARS-CoV-2 polyprotein processing, while ritonavir acts as a pharmacokinetic booster. Remdesivir is a nucleotide analog that inhibits the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, preventing viral genome replication. Together, they provide dual antiviral activity against COVID-19.
Approved indications
- COVID-19 (phase 3 evaluation)
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Taste disturbance
Key clinical trials
- OPtimisation of Antiviral Therapy in Immunocompromised COVID-19 Patients: a Randomized Factorial Controlled Strategy Trial (PHASE2)
- Finding Treatments for COVID-19: A Trial of Antiviral Pharmacodynamics in Early Symptomatic COVID-19 (PLATCOV) (PHASE2)
- OPtimisation of Antiviral Therapy in Immunocompromised COVID-19 Patients (PHASE2)
- AGILE (Early Phase Platform Trial for COVID-19) (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Evaluation of Direct Antiviral Treatments Against SARS-CoV-2 in Immunocompromised Patients With Covid-19. A G2i Study, National Multicenter Observational and Retrospective From June 2023 to April 2024
- Antiviral Strategies in the Prevention of Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes Following COVID-19: The paxloviD/Remdesivir Effectiveness For the prEvention of loNg coviD Clinical Trial (PHASE4)
- Extended Remdesivir Infusion Combined With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir for Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Immunocompromised Patients (NA)
- Randomized, Embedded, Multifactorial Adaptive Platform Trial for Community- Acquired Pneumonia (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir + remdesivir CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir + remdesivir updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- UMC Utrecht portfolio CI