On Jun. 30 2022, Pfizer announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of PAXLOVID™ (nirmatrelvir [PF-07321332] tablets and ritonavir tablets) for patients who are at high risk for progression to severe illness from COVID-19.

PAXLOVID was authorized for emergency use for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg [88 lbs]) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. The submission provided the longer-term follow-up data necessary for acceptance and potential approval.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50-60% of the U.S. population is estimated to have one or more risk factors for progressing to severe COVID-19 illness. These risk factors include any of the following: being aged 65 and older, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity, chronic kidney or liver disease, and immunocompromised conditions such as cancer, among others.