U.S. starts trial to evaluate antiviral in adults hospitalized with COVID-19

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has initiated a multi-site clinical trial evaluating an investigational antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19, the agency announced on Wednesday.

The therapeutic, known as S-217622 or ensitrelvir fumaric acid, was discovered by Hokkaido University of Japan; and Shionogi & Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company.