DTMT Network

Pfizer’s experimental antiviral combination drug reduces hospitalisation among high-risk COVID19 patients, the company has announced on December 14, 2021.

In the final results from an analysis of all 2,246 adults enrolled in its Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR (Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID19 in High-Risk Patients) trial of its novel COVID19 oral antiviral candidate Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir [PF-07321332] tablets and ritonavir tablets), the company said that Paxlovid reduced risk of hospitalisation or death by 89% when administered within three and 88% when administered within five days of onset of symptoms respectively as compared to placebo in non-hospitalised, high-risk adults with COVID19

The above data have been shared with the United States Food and Drug Administration as part of an ongoing rolling submission for emergency use authorisation, the announcement added.

In its release the company stated that approximately 10  times decrease in viral load on the fifth day relative to placebo, was observed in EPIC-HR, thereby indicating robust activity against SARS-CoV-2 and representing the strongest viral load reduction reported to date for a COVID19 the announcement further added.

Moreover, recent in vitro data confirm that nirmatrelvir is a potent inhibitor of the Omicron 3CL protease, which, combined with existing in vitro antiviral and protease inhibition data from other variants of concerns including Delta, indicates that Paxlovid will retain robust antiviral activity against current variants of concerns as well as other coronaviruses, the announcement informed.

“This news provides further corroboration that our oral antiviral candidate if authorised or approved could have a meaningful impact on the lives of many, as the data further support the efficacy of Paxlovid in reducing hospitalisation and death and show a substantial decrease in viral load. This underscores the treatment candidate’s potential to save the lives of patients around the world,” Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer said.

“Emerging variants of concern, like Omicron, have exacerbated the need for accessible treatment options for those who contract the virus, and we are confident that, if authorised or approved, this potential treatment could be a critical tool to help quell the pandemic,” he added.