Health and Healthcare

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals COVID-19 Study Fails to Live Up to Expectations

Imgorthand / E+ via Getty Images

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: EIGR) has announced disappointing results from an investigator-sponsored study of Peginterferon Lambda-1a (Lambda) in outpatients with mild and uncomplicated COVID-19.

The primary endpoint in this study was duration of viral shedding, determined by time to first of two consecutive negative tests for SARS-CoV-2. The secondary endpoint was reducing duration of symptoms and hospitalization in patients with mild COVID-19. A total of 120 patients were evenly randomized between Lambda and the placebo, and they were followed for 28 days.

Ultimately, no difference was demonstrated in the duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding and time to symptom resolution versus the placebo. The median time to cessation of viral shedding in both groups was seven days.

Note that Lambda was well-tolerated with few adverse events, which included elevated transaminases that self-resolved.

Management indicated that it now knows that untreated patients with mild COVID-19 clear virus quickly. Published reports have demonstrated evidence of a therapeutic benefit of interferons in hospitalized patients with more advanced COVID-19 disease.

The firm is look forwarding to the results of the four ongoing peginterferon lambda investigator-sponsored studies in hospitalized patients with more advanced COVID-19, as well as the prophylaxis study of exposed or at-risk patients.

Separately, Lambda is in late-stage development for the treatment of hepatitis delta virus (HDV), the most severe form of human viral hepatitis, and HDV is its lead clinical program. It previously had positive Phase 2 results, and management is looking forward to initiating a Phase 3 trial for HDV.

BioPharmaceuticals stock traded down 14% to $8.50 on Monday, in a 52-week range of $4.55 to $15.82. The consensus price target is $34.17.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.