Pardes Biosciences on Tuesday said early human testing shows that its experimental COVID-19 antiviral pill works as a standalone treatment and announced plans to go public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company.
If the drug, called PBI-0451, proves effective in later-stage testing, it could have an advantage over similar pills that need to be taken with a second, booster medication, such as the Pfizer Inc
Pardes said it expects to complete its current Phase I study in healthy volunteers early next year. It aims to begin by mid-year a larger trial that could be used to seek regulatory approval for the COVID-19 antiviral pill.There are currently no authorized oral COVID-19 treatments. But they are expected to become important tools against the illness because they can be taken at home early after symptoms appear to keep people out of the hospital.
Ritonavir is used to extend the action of the Pfizer pill, but can also interfere with some other medicines a patient may be taking, raising the risk of complications. Pfizer, which says the issue of drug-drug interactions is manageable, is awaiting emergency authorization from the FDA for Paxlovid.
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