December 16, 2021

Launch of the PANORAMIC study and deployment of molnupiravir for those at highest risk who test positive for the virus

A national study called The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC), run by the University of Oxford in close collaboration with GP hubs, has now launched and is recruiting. The UK Antiviral Taskforce has selected all treatments to be tested – the first treatment to be investigated through the trial will be molnupiravir, a COVID antiviral pill already been licensed by the MHRA.

The trial wants to recruit around 10,000 UK patients at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 to have the opportunity to take the treatment molnupiravir at home after receiving a positive PCR test.

From the 16^th December, those at highest risk who test positive for the virus will also be able to access molnupiravir or other available community treatments via the COVID Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU).

Journalists dialled in to this briefing to hear the panel discuss questions such as:

• Who is eligible to join the trial and why a big recruitment drive is needed?
• Why is a trial being run to look at molnupiravir when it is already authorised?
• How might the Omicron variant change how antivirals are to be deployed?
• Who is eligible to receive molnupiravir outside of the trial from today?

Please note there are no data or results yet – this is just the launch of the study and the start of deployment. This was an opportunity for science journalists to ask their questions to the panel if they have them.

Speakers included:

Eddie Gray, Chair of UK Antivirals Taskforce

Prof Chris Butler, Professor of Primary Care, PANORAMIC Chief Investigator, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford

Prof Phil Evans, NIHR CRN National Specialty Lead for Primary Care

Dr David Lowe, Consultant Clinical Immunologist, UCL