Promising new data for Shionogi's S-217622, a therapeutic drug for COVID-19

Japanese pharma major Shionogi (TYO: 4507) today announced that ensitrelvir fumaric acid (S-217622), Shionogi’s orally administered antiviral drug for COVID-19 (caused by infection with the novel coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2]), shows high in vitro antiviral activity against the Omicron subvariant (BA.2.75), with antiviral potency in pre-clinical testing similar to its potency against other existing variants.

As of August 2022, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 subvariant has been detected in Japan. There is limited data at this time as to the spread of infection and severity of the BA.2.75 subvariant compared to other variants, but all monoclonal antibody anti-coronavirus therapeutics listed in the report are ineffective against it and some vaccines may be less protective, due to spike protein mutations.”

Shionogi says it will continue to closely monitor the trends of infection and, in parallel, accumulate evidence for S-217622. It will also continually evaluate S-217622’s potency against newly arising mutant strains as soon as clinical isolates are available, and thereby to provide information which can be beneficial for public health.