An experimental treatment from Shionogi & Co has shown rapid clearance of SARS-CoV-2, according to new data, the Japanese drug maker said on Sunday (April 24).
The pill, S-217622, “demonstrated rapid clearance of the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Shionogi said in a statement, citing Phase 2b results from the Phase II/III clinical trial of the drug.
The company has global aspirations for the antiviral pill, which is now being evaluated by Japanese regulators.
The findings also showed “there was no significant difference in total score of 12 COVID-19 symptoms between treatment arms” although the drug showed improvement in a composite score of five “respiratory and feverish” symptoms, Shionogi said.
The drugmaker said in March it would launch a global Phase III trial worldwide for the drug with US government support, and Chief Executive Isao Teshirogi has said production could reach 10 million doses a year.
S-217622 – Japan’s COVID-19 Oral Drug Under Review for Approval – Dr. Mobeen Syed