It has been found that Xocova, a COVID-19 treatment developed by Japan's Shionogi, prevents symptoms from developing in patients' household members

Shionogi's COVID-19 drug ensitrelvir, sold as Xocova, showed post-exposure preventive potential in a phase III trial.

In a study of more than 2,000 household contacts of COVID-19 patients in Japan and the U.S., the treatment group had lower infection and symptom rates than the placebo group.

If confirmed, the oral drug could become a new option to help curb household spread after exposure.