molecules of the year

Pfizer’s PF-07321332 (API of Paxlovid) is an oral, reversible covalent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor, which received emergency use authorization from the FDA for Covid treatment at the end of 2021. Clinical data showed Paxlovid reducing Covid hospitalization and death by 89%. It was nominated for November’s cover by Mike Koehler, Christian Kuttruff, and Callie Bryan. “Paxlovid sets a speed record in development that may never be broken!” said Mike Koehler. Their Science paper describing the development came out in the same month that their clinical trial was ended early due to strong efficacy. “I looked up some other recent molecules with rapid development times, and the standouts are the CFTR modulators, which were in trials for only about three years (but took a…