Pfizer has said its COVID-19 pill is highly effective at preventing serious illness, even from Omicron.
The company had last month announced the initial trial results of their tablet.
Now, they say final data confirms that the pill reduced risk of hospitalization or death by 89% (when first taken within three days of symptom onset) and 88% (within five days of symptom onset).
More than 2,000 high-risk patients took part in the trial.
Meanwhile, lab analysis has indicated that the treatment is a "potent inhibitor" of Omicron.
The pill - known as PAXLOVID - works differently to treatments and vaccines that target the virus spike protein, working instead to 'inhibit viral replication'.
So far, lab studies have shown it to work against all the known variants of concern - including Omicron.
Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, said: "Emerging variants of concern, like Omicron, have exacerbated the need for accessible treatment options for those who contract the virus.
"We are confident that, if authorised or approved, this potential treatment could be a critical tool to help quell the pandemic.”
Pfizer's pill has not been approved for use in the US or EU yet, with the firm currently seeking emergency use authorisation from US regulators.
Recent studies have shown that vaccines appear to be less effective at preventing infection from Omicron, but that a third or booster shot offers significantly improved protection against the new strain.
This had led a growing number of countries - including Ireland - to reduce the gap between second and third doses to just three months.
Meanwhile, results of a large study released today by Discovery Health - South Africa’s largest private health insurance administrator - suggests the risk of hospital admission from Omicron appears to be lower than previous strains.
However, they say the risk of reinfection for people who've had COVID previously is "significantly higher, relative to prior variants".
