Favipiravir: All you need to know about the potential drug for Covid-19 treatment

Team Udayavani, May 3, 2020, 10:27 AM IST

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to evaluate antivirial drug favipiravir in clinical trials to treat patients with Covid-19

Favipiravir

Favipiravir is an antiviral drug that was originally made to treat the flu in Japan. This drug is effective in treating mild to moderate cases of Covid-19, as seen in more than 300 patients. The drug was seen to reduce viral load and improve lung health.

How does it work?

It is believed to directly target the RdRp catalytic site preventing virus replication in cells and inhibiting infection, it has been shown to have in vivo antiviral activity against a wide array of human-infecting RNA viruses.

Favipiravir in India

Strides Pharma Science Ltd, a Bangalore-based company, has already developed a generic version of favipiravir tablets in 400mg and 200 mg strengths. It is also exporting favipiravir to various Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) has developed a convenient and cost-effective synthetic process for producing antiviral drug Favipiravir. IICT has transferred the entire process and significant quantities of pharma-grade API of Favipiravir to the pharmaceutical major Cipla.