Final Data Reaffirms Efficacy Of Pfizer's COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment

Pfizer Inc PFE announced final results from an analysis of all 2,246 adults enrolled in its Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR trial of Paxlovid. 

• These results were consistent with the interim analysis, showing Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization or death for any cause by 89% compared to placebo in non-hospitalized, high-risk adult patients with COVID-19 treated within three days of symptom onset. 
• 0.7% of Paxlovid patients were hospitalized through Day 28, with no deaths, compared to 6.5% of placebo patients hospitalized or died, with nine subsequent deaths.
• In a secondary endpoint, Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization or death for any cause by 88% compared to placebo in patients treated within five days of symptom onset, an increase from the 85% observed in the interim analysis. 
• Treatment-emergent adverse events were comparable between Paxlovid (23%) and placebo (24%), most of which were mild. 
• Fewer serious adverse events (1.6% vs. 6.6%) and study drug discontinuation due to adverse events (2.1% vs. 4.2%) were observed in patients dosed with Paxlovid, compared to placebo.
• Related Link: Pfizer, Merck COVID-19 Pills US Launch In This Month; Other Countries Will Have to Wait: WSJ.
• Price Action: PFE shares are down 0.54% at $54.90 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.