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Pfizer’s COVID-19 Pill is 89 Percent Effective in Phase 2/3 Study

December 16, 2021

Final data from the phase 2/3 study of Pfizer’s novel oral “at home” COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid, was so strong, the candidate could be well-positioned to knock molnupiravir — which is authorized in the UK although not yet in the U.S. — off its perch.

In the study, stopped early due to clear efficacy, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets) proved to be 89 percent effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk patients who took the antiviral within three days of symptom onset compared to placebo.

For patients who took the pill within five days of experiencing symptoms, Paxlovid was 88 percent effective compared to placebo.

By contrast, Merck’s and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ oral antiviral molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 by 50 percent in one study, but more recently the companies said a late-stage trial showed efficacy was only 30 percent.

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