Pretty much everyone thought that Merck and its partner, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, set a really high bar with the late-stage results for their COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir.
The company reported last Friday that Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization by 89% compared with a placebo in COVID-19 patients who were treated within three days of symptom onset.
If Paxlovid wins authorization , the pill could be prescribed to adults who are diagnosed with COVID-19.
The number of COVID-19 cases could decline in the future thanks in large part to increased vaccination rates.
The candidate didn’t meet the primary endpoint in a phase 2 study, but Atea and Roche plan to move forward with a phase 3 study with potential protocol modifications.
With the potential for Paxlovid to be a megablockbuster as well, Pfizer’s cash stockpile should continue to grow by leaps and bounds.