Shionogi's COVID-19 Oral Drug Proves Effective, Faces Crisis as 2 Million Courses Are Destroyed

Shionogi & Co., a prominent Japanese pharmaceutical company, announced on Tuesday that its ongoing late-stage international clinical trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of its oral COVID-19 treatment in curbing the virus's spread. The drug, known as Ensitrelvir and marketed under the name Xocova, significantly lessened the transmission of COVID-19 among individuals who displayed symptoms after being in close contact with infected persons, according to Shionogi's statement.

The Phase 3 clinical trial, designated as SCORPIO-PEP, included approximately 2,400 participants from various regions, including the United States, South America, Africa, and Asia. The findings from this trial indicate that Ensitrelvir is notably effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19, particularly in those who became symptomatic following exposure to an infected contact.

Despite these promising results, it is important to highlight that earlier this year, in May, Shionogi had observed that Ensitrelvir did not show a significant impact on alleviating common COVID-19 symptoms when compared to a placebo in a different study. This earlier study, known as the SCORPIO-HR trial, presented results that starkly contrasted with those from the SCORPIO-PEP trial.

In March, the Japanese government granted full approval for the use of Ensitrelvir. During the pandemic, the government purchased two million courses of this treatment. However, according to media reports, the majority of these drugs remained unused and are now slated for destruction. This has sparked public debate and scrutiny over government decisions and the management of resources.

The recent positive data from the SCORPIO-PEP trial accentuates the potential of Ensitrelvir as a viable option for limiting COVID-19 transmission, especially in cases where individuals have had close contact with infected persons and subsequently developed symptoms. The contrasting outcomes from the two different trials underscore the complexity of the drug's efficacy in various scenarios. The Japanese government's prior investment in Ensitrelvir, despite its underutilization, has now become a topic of discussion regarding the strategic decisions made during the health crisis.