Pharma & R&D
U.S. Approves Oral Drug to Help Prevent COVID-19
What’s happening
The FDA approved an oral drug from Shionogi & Co. to help prevent COVID-19 infection.
Unlike vaccines, the medicine is taken as a pill and is intended to reduce the risk of becoming infected.
What’s changing / Business impact
The approval provides another prevention tool beyond vaccines and may be especially useful for people who cannot mount a strong immune response.
It also expands competition in the COVID prevention market.
Why this matters
Vaccines remain the primary defense against COVID, but they do not work equally well for everyone.
Some patients, especially those with weakened immune systems, may benefit from additional options that lower infection risk.