Cipla all set to launch anti-viral drug Favipiravir for treatment of coronavirus patients

Pharmaceutical Company Cipla is all set to launch the anti-viral drug Favipiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. A top government research institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has played an important role in the process by transferring the cost-effective technology to Cipla.

Director CSIR-IICR, Dr S Chandrashekhar said, the technology provided by the Institute is very efficient and affordable. He said, it allows the company to make large quantities of drugs within a short span of time.

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

Director General of CSIR, Dr Shekhar Mande said, CSIR is working with the industry in developing products for mitigation of Covid-19. He said, partnership with Cipla is an example that CSIR is committed to bringing repurposed drugs on a fast track.

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) developed a cost-effective process using locally available chemicals to synthesise this Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and transferred the technology to the Cipla Company.

Anti-viral drug Favipiravir has shown promising results in clinical trials for the treatment of Covid-19 patients especially in the mild and moderate patients.

Drug Controller General of India has given restricted emergency use for Favipiravir in the country.