1. Scrip
  2. >>COVID-19

Pfizer’s Oral COVID-19 Pill Paxlovid Tops Merck’s Molnupiravir

 
• By Joseph Haas

Pfizer reported its protease inhibitor Paxlovid showed an 89% risk reduction for hospitalization and death compared to placebo in interim results of a Phase II/III trial. The pharma now is seeking a quick EUA in the US.

COVID-19 red cells on white
Pfizer's oral antiviral sharply reduces hospitalization/mortality risk in trial

Already a key leader with its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer Inc. shook up the status quo again on 5 November with Phase II/III data for its oral antiviral drug showing an 89% reduction in risk of death for non-hospitalized, infected patients at high risk for progression to severe illness. The data appear to best the results for Merck & Co., Inc.’s molnupiravir.

As the first oral COVID-19 therapeutic to report Phase III success, and with its first approval from the UK, Merck/Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP’s molnupiravir was hailed as a transformative event for the pandemic – especially if it holds up for post-exposure prophylaxis

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from COVID-19

Arcturus and CSL Take on Pfizer With Longer-Lasting COVID Vaccine

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Kostaive is the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval from the European Commission and could provide serious competition to Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax.

Under-Pressure Moderna Banks $590m To Speed Up Bird Flu Vaccine

 
• By Kevin Grogan

A week after a downbeat forecast at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the US mRNA specialist has pocketed another sizeable sum from the US Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate development of an H5N1 mRNA pandemic influenza vaccine.

Stock Watch: Q3, Bonfire Of The Vaccine Manufacturers

 
• By Andy Smith

Pfizer’s and Moderna’s quarterly pandemic-related product sales could not mask other weaknesses while GSK’s quarter was marred by unimpressive non-pandemic vaccines sales.

Meiji Considers Legal Action Amid Japan Misinformation On Kostaive Vaccine

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japanese distributor Meiji Seika Pharma is considering possible legal action against what it views as online slander around COVID-19 vaccine Kostaive, which received its global-first approval in Japan last year and has now been launched for regular vaccination in the country.

More from Scrip

AbbVie On MFN: ‘We Have To Take It Seriously’

 
• By Jessica Merrill

AbbVie chief commercial officer Jeffrey Stewart called Trump’s drug pricing plan a “disruption” but said ultimately the delta between US and EU drug prices may not be as high as some expect.

Industry Leaders Grapple With Trump’s MFN Pricing Plan

 
• By Jessica Merrill

At the Bank of America health care conference, pharma leaders speculated on what Trump’s executive order on drug pricing could mean for US and European drug prices.

GSK Pays $1.2bn For Phase III-Ready MASH Contender

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

The acquisition of Boston Pharma’s once-a-month FGF21 analog adds to GSK’s liver disease portfolio.