By Gloria Nosa
Japan has approved the preventive use of the COVID-19 antiviral drug Xocova, marking a global first for an oral medication designed to prevent infection before symptoms appear.
Japan’s Health Minister, Kenichiro Ueno, announced on March 23 that the government had expanded the approved uses of Xocova to include “preventive administration.” This means the medication can now be taken by individuals at high risk of severe illness who are living with someone infected with COVID-19.
The drug, developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co., is now authorized for preventive use in people aged 12 years and above. Under the recommended dosage, patients are to take three tablets on the first day, followed by one tablet daily for the next four days.
While preventive treatment has long been available for influenza medications, this marks the first time such an approach has been approved globally for an oral COVID-19 treatment.
Clinical trial results released by Shionogi showed promising outcomes. Among 2,041 individuals living with COVID-19 patients, only 30 of the 1,030 participants who received Xocova — about 2.9 percent — developed the virus within 10 days. In contrast, 91 of the 1,011 participants given a placebo, or 9.0 percent, became infected. The results indicate a 67 percent reduction in the relative risk of contracting COVID-19.
Xocova was initially granted emergency approval in November 2022 before receiving full regulatory approval in March 2024, further strengthening its role in Japan’s COVID-19 response strategy.
