An announcement could be made as soon as this week.
Earlier this month Pfizer released the top results from its trial saying that an interim analysis – performed before the trial was scheduled to end – showed an increased risk of hospitalization or death from Covid- 19 decreased by 89% in those who received the drug during the first three days of symptom onset.
The company says the pill will be used in combination with an older antiviral drug called ritonavir and is used to treat mild to moderate Covid-19 in patients at risk of hospitalization or higher mortality.
“With more than 5 million deaths and countless lives affected by this monstrous disease globally, there is an urgent need for life-saving treatment options. Those who leave the hospital if allowed, highlights the important role that oral antiviral therapies can play in the fight against COVID-19,” Albert Bourla, President and CEO of Pfizer, said in a statement.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few weeks. But I have a feeling it’s not going to be pretty,” said Michael Osterholm, head of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, recently. speak. CNN.
This story was updated with additional information on Tuesday.
CNN’s Amanda Sealy and Paul LeBlanc contributed to this report.
