The identification of various antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2 is of utmost importance to reduce the risk of potential severity. One such antiviral, peginterferon lambda, can reduce COVID-19 -related risk of hospitalizations or visits to emergency units. A single-dose subcutaneous injection of peginterferon lambda within seven days of onset of COVID-19 symptoms in high-risk outpatients (n >1,900) reduced the risk of hospitalization by 50% compared to patients receiving a placebo. The effect was more pronounced when the drug was taken within three days of symptom onset.
Similar treatment benefits were observed regardless of vaccination status and infection with different COVID-19 variants, including the highly transmissible Omicron variant. No significant differences in side effects were seen between the treatment and placebo groups. These results indicate the clinical benefits of…
