Paxlovid EPIC-PEP trial (2022)
Pfizer tested its oral antiviral Paxlovid as a way to prevent COVID-19 in people exposed by a household member. The pill cut symptomatic infection by 32 to 37 percent, but the results were not statistically significant.
Pfizer dropped the prevention use and kept Paxlovid as a treatment.
The failure left no oral option for people who wanted protection right after an exposure.
Ensitrelvir succeeded where Paxlovid did not, which is why it can claim a first.
