Pfizer's COVID-19 Oral Therapy To Be Tested In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients In UK: Reuters

Pfizer Inc's PFE oral COVID-19 therapy will be evaluated as a potential treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a major British trial.
A randomized study of potential medicines for COVID-19, dubbed the RECOVERY trial, will assess Paxlovid across hospitals in Britain, which has already approved the drug for early-stage treatment.
"Paxlovid is a promising oral antiviral drug, but we don't know if it can improve survival of patients with severe COVID-19," said Peter Horby, a professor at the University of Oxford and joint chief investigator of the RECOVERY trial.
The scientists will assess if Pfizer's Paxlovid can reduce the risk of death among patients admitted to hospitals with COVID-19.
Related: Britain To Test Merck - Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' COVID-19 Antiviral Pill In Hospitalized Patients.
RECOVERY, led by the University of Oxford, will also probe whether Paxlovid shortens the length of hospital stay or reduces the need for a mechanical ventilator.
Scientists behind the RECOVERY trial in 2020 showed that dexamethasone, a steroid, was able to save the lives of patients in a "major breakthrough" in the pandemic. They also discovered the effectiveness of treatments such as arthritis drug tocilizumab and antibody cocktail Ronapreve.
Price Action: PFE shares are up 0.74% at $53.17 during the market session on the last check Monday.
Photo by Diamond Rehab Thailand via Pixabay