Benzinga | Jun 30, 2021 11:11AM EDT

Atea Pharma's AT-527 Rapidly Reduces Viral Load Levels In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

* Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AVIR) has announced positive interim results from a Phase 2 study evaluating AT-527 in hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

* Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY) and Atea jointly develop AT-527, an oral direct-acting antiviral agent derived from Atea's purine nucleotide prodrug platform.

* On Day 2, patients receiving AT-527 experienced a 0.7 log10 (80%) greater mean reduction from baseline viral load than placebo.

* AT-527's antiviral activity was also observed in patients with higher baseline viral loads.

* The AT-527 arm achieved SARS-CoV-2 clearance as early as Day 2 (in 6% of patients), Day 8 (in 7% of patients), Day 10 (in 33% of patients), and Day 12 (in 31% of patients) compared to 0% of patients in the placebo arm.

* By Day 14 (last viral sampling study day), approximately 47% of patients in the AT-527 arm and 22% in the placebo arm had no detectable RNA virus.

* No drug-related serious adverse events were reported, and AT-527 was safe and well-tolerated.

* Final data from the complete Phase 2 program will be submitted to an upcoming medical congress or a peer-reviewed publication.

* Price Action: AVIR shares are down 7.87% at $22.49 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.