Japan's Influenza Drug Seeks Approval to Treat COVID-19

Tokyo based FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. announced that the company filed an Application for Partial Changes to manufacturing and marketing approval matters of its anti-influenza drug Avigan® Tablet (favipiravir) already approved in Japan. The filing seeks to add an indication relating to COVID-19.

Avigan selectively inhibits RNA polymerase necessary for influenza virus replication. Due to this mechanism of action, it has been expected that Avigan may have an antiviral effect on the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, as they are RNA viruses of the same type as influenza viruses, stated the company's press release on October 16, 2020.