Japan's Shionogi & Co Reports COVID-19 Treatment Efficacy

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan's Shionogi & Co announced on Tuesday that a global, late-stage study demonstrated the effectiveness of its pill-based treatment for COVID-19 in reducing disease transmission.

Key Findings

Ensitrelvir, commercially known as Xocova, showed a statistically significant reduction in symptomatic infections among participants exposed to household contacts with COVID-19, according to Shionogi's statement.

Study Details

The Phase 3 SCORPIO-PEP trial included approximately 2,400 participants from the United States, South America, Africa, and Asia.

Previous Trials

These results come on the heels of comments from May, where the drugmaker indicated that the SCORPIO-HR trial revealed the pill's ineffectiveness in alleviating common symptoms of the illness compared to a placebo.

Approval Status

In March, Japan granted full approval for the drug. Despite the government purchasing 2 million treatment courses during the pandemic, most supplies remain unused and are set to be destroyed, according to media reports.