South Korean researchers say CP-COV03 oral Covid drug cut common coronavirus symptoms in a mid stage clinical study.
Raising hopes for a pill that could reach pharmacies as early as next year.
The antiviral, branded Xafty, was developed by biotech firm Hyundai Bioscience in partnership with scientists from several Korean universities.
The candidate is designed to tackle key symptoms the US Food and Drug Administration lists for Covid-19; cough, headache, sore throat, nausea and chills.
Results published this week in ‘Nature Communications’.
The results showed patients receiving CP-COV03 recovered faster than those on placebo, with no serious safety issues reported.
CP-COV03 oral Covid drug: next steps toward approval
Investigators say the pill’s active molecule works by blocking viral replication in the upper airway.
Because it is taken by mouth, it could be prescribed outside hospitals, a departure from current intravenous antivirals that require clinical supervision.
If larger Phase III trials confirm the benefit, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will review the data for emergency or full approval.
The team aim to file the approval in early 2026.
Hyundai Bioscience adds that CP-COV03 retained potency against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants in lab tests, an advantage as new strains emerge.
The company is now recruiting volunteers across Asia, Europe and South America to validate efficacy on a broader scale.
Public health analysts say an affordable pill that eases symptoms and shortens infection could help keep mild cases out of overstretched clinics.
Especially in regions with limited cold chain capacity for vaccines or injectables.
While CP-COV03 still faces regulatory hurdles.
The Korean group’s peer reviewed data mark a step forward in the global search for easy to use Covid treatments.
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