Covid-19: Pfizer's paxlovid is 89% effective in patients at risk of serious illness, company reports

Abstract

Based on interim analysis of phase II-III data from 1219 adults, Pfizer’s oral antiviral drug paxlovid demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing covid-19 related hospitalizations and deaths among high-risk patients. When administered within three days of symptom onset, paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared to placebo. In patients treated within three days, only 0.8% of the paxlovid group required hospitalization with no deaths, versus 7% hospitalization and seven deaths in the placebo group. Similar results were observed in patients treated within five days of symptoms. Safety analysis of 1881 patients showed comparable adverse event rates between groups (19% paxlovid, 21% placebo), with most events being mild. The UK has secured 250,000 courses of paxlovid alongside 480,000 courses of molnupiravir. Following these positive results, study enrollment was concluded at 70% of the planned 3000 patients, and Pfizer is pursuing emergency use authorization with the FDA. - AI-generated abstract.