Nashville

Vanderbilt researchers made key discoveries that drove the development of a new antiviral pill for COVID-19 patients.

Pharmaceutical company Merck last week announced plans to seek authorization for the pill, saying it cut in half the risk of hospitalization or death during a clinical trial.

Why it matters: Vanderbilt University Medical Center emerged as a leading force in the pandemic — with some help from Dolly Parton.

Continued pandemic successes could spur more funding and high-profile projects for the city's biggest employer.

Details: The antiviral drug is another watershed moment. It was developed in partnership with investigators at Emory University and UNC-Chapel Hill, with subsequent development from Merck and Ridgeback Therapeutics.

Investigators in VUMC professor Mark Denison's lab found evidence the antiviral, known as molnupiravir, could be effective against COVID.

Subsequent animal testing showed the drug prevented severe lung damage in infected mice.

Between the lines: Denison told Axios that he and his team had researched coronaviruses for decades.

His lab was investigating molnupiravir and remdesivir years before they became critical tools against the pandemic. Denison even had to explain and justify his research focus to skeptics.

"It's not science fiction. You don’t go into a lab and then come out in 24 hours with an answer," Denison said.

Denison's lab is continuing to examine molnupiravir, remdesivir, and new drugs while also researching the efficacy of different drug combinations.

Context: VUMC has been involved on several fronts in the battle against COVID-19.

The Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program oversaw trials for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Denison's lab also participated in early studies showing the Moderna vaccine worked.

Earlier this month, VUMC announced researchers discovered a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis had potentially life-saving effects on hospitalized COVID patients.

AstraZeneca on Tuesday announced plans to seek FDA emergency use authorization for antibodies developed last year at VUMC.

What they're saying: "From conducting vaccine trials, treating COVID patients, advising on health policy, and now helping to develop a COVID pill, VUMC has played a critical role throughout the pandemic," Mayor John Cooper said in a statement to Axios. "Nashville is fortunate to have VUMC in our community."

Vanderbilt involved in another big pandemic development

Vanderbilt researchers drove the development of a new antiviral pill for COVID patients.

A sign outside the entrance of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt University Medical Center

COVID-19 treatments

COVID

Thanksgiving is approaching, and the Metro Public Health Department is encouraging people to get their COVID-19 vaccines in time to celebrate.

The details: If you're getting your first dose of the Moderna vaccine, you need to do so by Thursday in order to be fully protected in time for Turkey Day, Nov. 25.

Pfizer recipients must get their first dose by Oct. 21.

The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a Nov. 11 deadline.

By the numbers: 56.6% of Nashvillians were fully vaccinated as of Monday.

The seven-day test positivity rate fell to 9.3%, the first time it's been below 10% since July.

What they're saying: Health Director Gill Wright says it's too soon to tell if improving testing and infection numbers would keep the city from experiencing a post-holiday surge.

COVID

Nashville pushes Thanksgiving vaccine deadlines

Vanderbilt involved in another big pandemic development