Japan's Fujifilm stops work on Avigan (favipiravir) as COVID drug

[onthedarkside]

 

 

TOKYO, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Fujifilm Holdings Corp (4901.T) has ended development of its anti-influenza drug Avigan to treat COVID-19, the firm said on Friday, after more than two years of work on a pill once hailed as Japan's biggest contribution to the global coronavirus fight.

 

In March, Fujifilm had cut short enrolment in a Phase III trial, saying the emergence of the Omicron variant made it tough to measure the drug's effectiveness in preventing severe symptoms. read more

 

Subsequent analysis of data from 84 people enrolled in the trial showed no significant results, the company said in a statement on Friday.

 

(more)

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/91ca264f-0848-3a41-9568-2257f3c113db/fujifilm-drops-anti-covid-19.html

 

 

 

From Fujifilm:

TOKYO, October 14, 2022 – FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. (President: Mitsuhiro Sato) announced the decision to discontinue the development of its anti-influenza drug, Avigan® Tablet (Avigan; generic name: favipiravir), for use as a therapeutic drug against COVID-19.

...

Subsequent analysis of clinical data from the 84 subjects has not shown significant results. Accordingly, the company has decided to discontinue further development on Avigan’s efficacy against COVID-19, and will withdraw its application to partially amend Avigan’s manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for treating COVID-19."

 

https://www.fujifilm.com/jp/en/news/hq/8698

 

[ukrules]

That's a shame, I hope they continue research on antivirals as they are really needed.

[TorquayFan]

In June 2020 I was carted off to Chantaburi's Public Hospital before being transferred into Bangkok Hospital after a PCR positive test, (hoping to fly back to the UK !!).

 

At arrival at Propaklao (Public Hospital) and then later at BKKH I was given Favipiravir. The dosage was very high, 8x200mg twice daily for the first few days. I took it reluctantly.

 

This was the standard treatment at the time but I have no idea if it helped at all. A good try and it's maybe sad to see it written off now.

 

'Paxlovid' seems to be prominent in UK treatments for Covid atm but see this cautionary link posted by connda on 14/10 https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.08.800

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by TorquayFan

[KhunLA]

I find that a bit telling.  A pharma company not even bothering.  

 

Will someone please sound the .... "ALL CLEAR"