TOKYO - Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s Avigan, once hyped as a potential COVID-19 treatment by Japan’s prime minister, is facing uncertain prospects in the country, dampened by disappointing clinical studies and slow progress in regulatory review.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe previously touted Avigan’s potential as Japan’s contribution to a global race for coronavirus treatments, aiming for domestic approval in May and offering to give it away to other countries. He mentioned the drug in at least 10 official speeches from February. Interest in Avigan, developed more than 20 years ago, soared in March after a Chinese official said it appeared to help patients recover from COVID-19. It is now the subject of at least 28 clinical trials around the world.
“When it comes to regulatory bodies, trust is critically important,” said Tatsuya Kondo who ran the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for 11 years until 2019. “If they make an incomplete judgment, it could raise doubts about the whole process.” Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, the Avigan-manufacturing unit of Fujifilm whose own trial is still listed as recruiting patients, is working to complete phase III clinical trials as soon as possible, Fujifilm spokesman Shunsuke Saito said.
“We’re moving as fast as we can,” she said. If the drug can be shown to reduce symptoms and the viral load among patients, “that would be a big deal”.
Fake
Probably because it's cheap and won't make big pharmacy a dime!?
No. U may not believe it but this is another scheme by the regime. They know Avigan works in early stages. Ppl related to MHLW r taking the medication (thread
Nice