What is the Dengue Prevention Pill by Johnson & Johnson? Understanding how the drug operates
dengue prevention pill.
The trial, presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Annual Meeting in Chicago, demonstrated that an antiviral pill known as JNJ-1802, developed by Johnson & Johnson, exhibited protective properties against dengue. This experimental pill was administered to healthy volunteers over a 26-day period, with another group receiving a placebo. On day five, all participants were subjected to an injection containing a type of dengue virus—a method referred to as a challenge trial.
Encouraging Signs of Efficacy
Over the course of 85 days, the trial participants were closely monitored for signs of dengue infection, including immune responses and the presence of the virus in their blood. Johnson & Johnson reported that the drug was well-tolerated and safe for all participants.
Notably, all five individuals in the placebo group showed evidence of a detectable virus during the monitoring period. In contrast, six out of ten participants who received a higher dosage of the drug displayed no signs of infection.
These preliminary findings are described as «promising results,» albeit in need of validation through more extensive trials. Marnix Van Loock, who leads emerging pathogens research at Johnson & Johnson's Janssen branch, voiced optimism that «science will be able to deliver against this threat» as it continues to escalate into a more significant global concern.
Moreover, JNJ-1802 is unique for being the first drug ever to demonstrate antiviral activity against dengue, signifying a substantial milestone in combating the disease.
The Road to Phase 2 Clinical Trials
The encouraging early results have paved the way for a broader Phase 2 clinical trial of the drug by Johnson &
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