Benefits of Baloxavir Marboxil for the Treatment of Influenza

Mike Ison, MD, MS, professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, discusses the key takeaways from the CAPSTONE-2 phase 3 trial evaluating baloxavir marboxil for the treatment of patients with influenza.

Interview transcript (modified slightly for readability):

"I think the most important takehomes [from the study] are threefold. One that antiviral therapy, including baloxavir, reduces the incidence of complications in patients with high risk for complications infected with influenza. Two, it shows the baloxavir, a new class of drugs, is both safe and effective in the treatment of influenza. And then the third critical finding is that there is a much more rapid clearance of virus with those patients who are treated with baloxavir. In addition, there was superiority of baloxavir compared to oseltamivir with the treatment of influenza B.

And so, most importantly, it will bring a therapy that only requires a single dose. So, patients will be able to take a pill and will be done taking the medication for the treatment of influenza. And after taking it, they will be at reduced risk for complications, including those requiring antibiotics or other complications of influenza."