Pfizer says its COVID-19 oral antiviral candidate reduces the risk of hospitalization by 89 percent
American pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced Friday that its study COVID-19 oral antiviral drug, Paxlovid, showed an 89 percent reduction in hospitalization or fatal cases in high-risk patients.
“The planned interim analysis showed that the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization or death from any cause was reduced by 89% compared with placebo in patients treated within three days of the onset of symptoms (primary endpoint), Pfizer said in a statement.
None of the patients receiving Paxlovid died during the 28-day test, compared with 10 (1.6%) of those receiving placebo.
“Today’s news is a real change in global efforts to halt the devastation of this pandemic. This data suggests that our oral antiviral drug candidate, if approved or authorized by regulators, could save patients’ lives and reduce severity. COVID-19 infections and eliminates as many as nine out of ten patients “, Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and CEO said.
Pfizer now plans to submit the study data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an emergency license (EUA) as soon as possible.
If Paxlovid were approved or authorized, it would be the first oral antiviral drug of its kind, a specially designed SARS-CoV-2-3CL protease inhibitor, the opinion added.
Source: ANI