It Began in the Ivy-Covered Halls of Emory University
Not far from the bat cave where I produce this storied blog, intense scientists at Emory labored sweatily far into the night to bring a new broad-spectrum antiviral drug into the world. It’s currently known as N4 hydroxycytidine-5’-isopropyl ester (NHC for short.) It’s generic name will be molnupiravir.
The name rhymes with mole-new-peer-a-veer. Easy to say.
Molnupiravir Baby Picture
Until now, it was a well-kept royal secret that Lady Kate Middleton moonlights at the Emory University drug nursery. she cares for cute little antivirals in their first tentative days of life.
How It Works
Cytosine is one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA. Notice how the nitrogen end of molnupiravir resembles the business end of cytosine. When SARS-CoV-2 tries to make copies of its pirate mRNA, molnupiravir gets in the way. Nothing gets copied and the human cell gets a reprieve.
About time, too!
If Molnupiravir is so Good, Where the Hell is it?
Glad you asked. Merck projected the phase three trial would be completed in early December. We should hear any day.
You’ll be shocked to learn that US government politics threw up obstacles. We tell all in our next edition.
Nouveau Riche couple Show How It's Done
Because these are dark days in a bleak winter, Covid-stricken and Brexit-paralysed, let me introduce you to a couple who will raise your spirits. Frances Connolly and her husband, Patrick, were living in a rented terrace house in Moira, County Down when, on New Year’s Day 2019, they won the EuroMillions jackpot of £114.9m, one of the highest payouts ever. Since then they have engaged in one of the biggest lottery giveaways ever, according to Camelot, the lottery operator.
Get with the program tech billionaires.
Next post, we will explore the internecine tunnels that may be slowing—or speeding—molnupiravir. Also, we’ll get down into the nitties and gritties of how the drug screws RNA transcription up.
It’ll be a holiday post like none other.
1 thought on “Messin’ With Covid RNA”
Mark,
You are informative as well as hilarious.!
Good read!
Esp loved the Mother Meghan.
Keep it up please.
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