Benzinga | Dec 15, 2021 07:59AM EST

After Roche Walks Away, Atea Puts Break On Late-Stage COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Trial

Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AVIR) said it would close the global Phase 3 MORNINGSKY trial. The decision comes after considering the changing COVID-19 landscape with the anticipated availability of new antiviral treatment regimens.

* In addition to MORNINGSKY, the follow-on MEADOWSPRING trial will also be closed out.

* The Company also said that the ongoing Phase 2 hospitalized trial will be amended to expand enrollment to unvaccinated, high-risk outpatients.

* Atea expects to provide a more detailed update on its strategy and new development plan in 2022.

* Related Link: Atea Shares Plunge As Roche Culls Partnership To Develop COVID-19 Pill.

* Atea will continue to advance the global AT-527 Phase 2 trial evaluating AT-527 in unvaccinated patients with risk factors with moderate COVID-19.

* This ongoing study is currently exploring doses up to 1,100 mg BID in patients managed in a hospitalized or confined setting. Atea intends to amend this study further to remove patient confinement or hospitalization requirements.

* The amended Phase 2 trial is expected to enroll up to 200 patients. Atea anticipates data readout during 2022.

* In addition, Atea is initiating preclinical in vitro combination studies of AT-527 and other compounds with different mechanisms of action to evaluate additive and synergistic benefits.

* Price Action: AVIR shares are up 1% at $8.10 during the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.