Breakthrough: First Dengue Pill Shows Promise in Human Trial
Johnson & Johnson's experimental pill for dengue fever has shown promise in a small human challenge trial, protecting against a form of the virus in a handful of patients. The drug is the first ever to show antiviral activity against dengue. In the trial, 6 out of 10 volunteers who received the pill showed no detectable dengue virus in their blood after being exposed to the pathogen, while all participants in the placebo group showed detectable virus. The positive early data supports ongoing Phase II trials of the pill for prevention, with the next step being testing it as a treatment. The drug works by blocking the action of viral proteins, preventing the virus from replicating. Ensuring access to the drug in low- and middle-income countries where it is most needed remains a challenge.