After Roche Walks Away, Atea Puts Break On Late-Stage COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Trial

Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc AVIR said it would close the global Phase 3 MORNINGSKY trial. The decision comes after considering the changing COVID-19 landscape with the anticipated availability of new antiviral treatment regimens.

• In addition to MORNINGSKY, the follow-on MEADOWSPRING trial will also be closed out. 
• The Company also said that the ongoing Phase 2 hospitalized trial will be amended to expand enrollment to unvaccinated, high-risk outpatients. 
• Atea expects to provide a more detailed update on its strategy and new development plan in 2022.
• Related Link: Atea Shares Plunge As Roche Culls Partnership To Develop COVID-19 Pill.
• Atea will continue to advance the global AT-527 Phase 2 trial evaluating AT-527 in unvaccinated patients with risk factors with moderate COVID-19. 
• This ongoing study is currently exploring doses up to 1,100 mg BID in patients managed in a hospitalized or confined setting. Atea intends to amend this study further to remove patient confinement or hospitalization requirements. 
• The amended Phase 2 trial is expected to enroll up to 200 patients. Atea anticipates data readout during 2022. 
• In addition, Atea is initiating preclinical in vitro combination studies of AT-527 and other compounds with different mechanisms of action to evaluate additive and synergistic benefits.
• Price Action: AVIR shares are up 1% at $8.10 during the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.