Shionogi’s ensitrelvir prevents symptomatic COVID-19

Japanese drugmaker Shionogi (TYO: 4507) saw its shares rise 2.3% to 2,173 yen today after it released positive research findings.

Shionogi announced that its double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled global Phase III study, Stopping COVID-19 pRogression with early Protease InhibitOr treatment – Post Exposure Prophylaxis (SCORPIO-PEP), met its primary endpoint.

Once-daily ensitrelvir demonstrated a statistically-significant reduction in the proportion of participants with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection after exposure to household contacts with COVID-19 when compared to placebo. Specifically, the primary endpoint assessed COVID-19 symptoms onset through Day 10. Ensitrelvir was well tolerated by study participants and no new safety concerns were identified.