COVID-19 pills are going to be a big deal. Even though healthcare professionals aren't quite sure how these medications will be used yet, Wall Street already expects Merck 's (NYSE: MRK) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' oral antiviral drug molnupiravir, which produced stellar late-stage results last week, to generate sales in excess of $5 billion. That revenue forecast, however, may be drastically too low. There are scores of individuals in the U.S. who would likely prefer an oral medication compared to a vaccine, and pills can be manufactured and subsequently shipped globally far more easily than most vaccines.
Which other companies are developing an oral COVID-19 antiviral pill? Atea Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AVIR) is working with Roche on a pill that would treat people with active COVID-19 infections, as well as serve as a preventative measure for people exposed to the virus. This drug, known as AT-527, is slated to produce top-line data within the next few months.
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) , on the other hand, is developing both an intravenously infused antiviral medication and an orally administered pill. Pfizer currently has three phase 2/3 trials underway to evaluate the orally administered antiviral candidate called PF-07321332 .
For further details see:
Which COVID-19 Pill Stock Is the Best Buy?