NIH to Study Shionogi’s Covid Antiviral in Hospitalized Patients

US researchers have begun a final-stage study of Shionogi & Co.’s Xocova antiviral in hospitalized Covid-19 patients to see whether it can help improve care as the number of available therapies diminishes.

The National Institutes of Health has started a multi-site clinical trial of 1,500 patients to evaluate the drug, also known as ensitrelvir fumaric acid, in 1,500 patients, according to an emailed statement Wednesday. The worldwide trial will compare the therapy, which is authorized for use in Japan, with a placebo.

Monoclonal antibody therapies have been rendered ineffective by Covid’s mutations, leaving fewer drugs available to treat the ...