FDA has approved the use of the oral tablet Paxlovid for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children over 12 years of age. Paxlovid consists of nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protease (Mpro), necessary for the virus to reproduce, and ritonavir, which slows the breakdown of nirmatrelvir to help it stay in the body for longer periods at higher concentrations. Research carried out, among others, by the team of Professor Marcin Drąg from the Wrocław University of Technology contributed to the identification of specific amino acids constituting the structure of the drug.