Frequent reporting of newer SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) has extended the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, some of these VoCs may develop some amount of resistance against the available monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. Thus antivirals that target the conserved proteins of SARS-CoV-2 will remain unaffected by mutations emerging in VoCs and thus are ought to be effective against emerging variants. 

A study investigated the efficacy of molnupiravir in hamsters infected with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants and found it to reduce viral loads and improve histopathology of lungs in Syrian hamsters infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants.  

There were no or very focal bronchopneumonia, no or focal perivascular inflammation and no perivascular oedema observed in the lungs of EIDD-2801–treated groups. 

Thus, Molnupiravir was found to be effective against infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants and thus can potentially be used for combating current and future emerging VoCs.

Source- The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 224, Issue 5, 1 September 2021, Pages 749–753, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiab361