India invents a cost-effective alternate of COVID-19 medicine Favipiravir, developed by CSIR to be launched soon

Indian premier research Institute, CSIR, has developed a cost-effective process of developing Favipiravir drug in India using locally chemicals to synthesize this Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). It has transferred the technology to a private company Cipla, which would start its mass-scale production soon.

The off-patent anti-viral drug Favipiravir, originally discovered by Fuji, Japan has shown promise in clinical trials for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, especially the mild and the moderate patients.

The indigenous production of the drug would not only reduce its production but would also make it available in large number in the market. Presently there is an availability problem of the drug and it is also very costly.

Commenting on the development, Director CSIR-IICR, Dr S Chandrashekhar said that the technology provided by CSIR-IICT is very efficient and makes it affordable and allows Cipla to make large quantities of the product within a short span of time.

DG-CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande further observed that CSIR is working with industry in developing quick solutions and products for mitigation of Covid-19 and this partnership with Cipla is an example of how CSIR is committed to bringing repurposed drugs on a fast track. 

Cipla has scaled up the process in their manufacturing facility and approached DCGI for permission to launch the product in India. Given that DCGI has given restricted emergency use for Favipiravir in the country, Cipla is now all set to launch the product to help patients suffering from Covid-19, said a senior officer of the Science and Technology. 

About Favipiravir

Favipiravir is an oral antiviral approved for the treatment of influenza in Japan. It selectively inhibits RNA polymerase, which is necessary for viral replication. Japan has commenced with a phase 3 clinical trial. In the United States, a phase 2 trial will enrol approximately 50 patients with COVID-19, in collaboration with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In India, a phase 3 trial combining 2 antiviral agents, favipiravir and umifenovir, started in May 2020.

Ends.