Fujifilm partners with Dr Reddy's to sell Avigan for COVID-19 treatment

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Business, Companies

In June, Glenmark received regulatory approval for favipiravir, generic form of Avigan, as treatment for virus infections in India

Fujifilm to partner with Dr. Reddy's to sell Avigan overseas as COVID-19 treatment. (PTI Photo)

TOKYO: Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp said on Wednesday it was partnering with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to sell the anti-flu drug Avigan in India and elsewhere to treat COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.

The agreement provides for Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, a unit of the Japanese company, to grant Dr. Reddy’s and Dubai-based Global Response Aid the right to develop, make and sell Avigan overseas and get a lump-sum license fee and royalties on sales.

In June, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd received regulatory approval for favipiravir, the generic form of Avigan, as a treatment for mild-to-moderate virus infections in India.

Japanese approval of Avigan for virus treatment was delayed amid a lack of patients for clinical trials.

Fujifilm will allow Dr. Reddy’s to use its production patents as well as clinical data, the Japanese company said in a statement.

Dr. Reddy’s and GRA will use the data for clinical studies, targeting virus patients in India, the Middle East, and other regions.

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