Atea’s and Roche’s COVID-19 Antiviral Falters in Mid-Stage Study

Atea Pharmaceuticals’ antiviral pill to treat COVID-19, which it’s developing with Roche, failed in its phase 2 study.

Atea announced Tuesday that its antiviral, AT-527, didn’t meet the primary endpoint of reduction in the amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus in patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 compared to placebo in a 100-patient trial, regardless of whether the patient got a high or low dose. The group included vaccinated patients.

Despite failing this important interim test, the company still has high hopes for the pill when it comes to high-risk patients with underlying health conditions because a reduction of viral load was observed in that group compared with placebo during the trial, Atea said.

“We remain committed to our goal of developing and delivering AT-527 as an oral antiviral that will address treatment needs as COVID-19 continues to evolve,” said Atea CEO and founder Jean-Pierre Sommadossi.