When Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced it had an anti-viral pill to treat COVID-19 patients, the stock rose sharply. Merck stock gave up much of those gains when Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) said it had an anti-viral pill, too.
Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA), BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX), Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN), and AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) are worth watching as Pfizer shakes up the vaccine market with its anti-viral. The drug will not replace the need for vaccines. But it offers treatment to immunocompromised individuals who could not get vaccinated.
Pfizer reported that its oral antiviral treatment candidate reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by an impressive 89%. This is data from the Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR study. Pfizer will submit the data as part of its rolling submission to the U.S. FDA. It seeks emergency use authorization.
Pfizer already earns revenue from BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine sales. This pill has a good chance of overtaking Merck’s pill, which has some negative side effects. Pfizer is safer to use.
Investors who missed the chance to buy PFE stock when it fell to under $42 should watch the company from here. The stock pays a healthy dividend in the 3% range. Investors should expect Its revenue from the vaccine and this pill to grow steadily. Should patient demand for the pill grow faster than expected, Pfizer stock will continue climbing to new highs.
