J&J’s potential flu drug, pimodivir, fails
The move highlights the risk of failure as the world counts on the pharmaceutical industry to help safely return it to normal life
02 September 2020 - 18:05
Minneapolis, US — Johnson & Johnson (J&J) halted the development of a new flu drug after a study suggested it wouldn’t work, a sign of how difficult it is to create treatments for viral infections as the world races to contain Covid-19.
The drug, pimodivir, was in the final stage of testing for patients with influenza A, the most common cause of the flu, when an interim look at the data showed it was unlikely to be better than standard care in helping hospitalised patients. The company stopped that trial and another in less-sick patients who weren’t hospitalised...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.