Pfizer says new trial confirms high efficacy of its COVID antiviral pills

Pfizer announced new results on Tuesday from studies testing its five-day course of COVID antiviral pills, confirming Paxlovid cut the risk of hospitalization or death in a trial for patients at high-risk of severe COVID-19 by 89% when treated within the first three days of their symptoms. 

Pfizer also announced an interim analysis of data from another trial that found a 70% reduction in the risk of hospitalization and no deaths compared to placebo, in a study that also included unvaccinated adults who did not have underlying conditions putting them at high-risk of severe COVID-19. 

The company says early results from its lab tests shows its antiviral will likely remain effective against all variants of concern, including Omicron.