Pardes Biosciences Says Its COVID-19 Antiviral Works as a Standalone Treatment

Larkspur, Calif.-based Pardes Biosciences said its experimental COVID-19 antiviral pill, PBI-0451, showed promise in an early-stage study as a standalone treatment that does not need to be taken along with a booster medication.

If all goes well, the company hopes to launch a phase 2/3 study in mid-2022 to support a regulatory filing.

The company is in the middle of a merger with FS Development Corp. II, whose stockholders will vote on the proposed deal Thursday, potentially creating a new, publicly traded firm and a new source of research and development funding.