Glenmark initiates Phase 3 clinical trials on antiviral Favipiravir for COVID-19 patients in India

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a research-led, integrated global pharmaceutical company has initiated Phase 3 clinical trials in India on Antiviral tablet Favipiravir, for which it received approval from India’s drug regulator DCGI in late April. Glenmark is the first company in India to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials on Favipiravir for COVID-19 patients in India.

Favipiravir is a generic version of Avigan® of Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd., Japan, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Corporation.Clinical trials have commenced and over 10leading government &private hospitals in India are being enrolled for thestudy.Glenmark estimates study completion by July/August 2020.Glenmark has successfully developed the API and the formulations for the product through its in-house R&D team. Favipiravir has demonstrated activity against influenza viruses and has been approved in Japan for the treatment of novel influenza virus infections.

The molecule if commercialized, will be marketed under the brand name ‘FabiFlu®’ in India.Commenting on this development, Dr. Monika Tandon, Vice President& Head, Clinical Development,Global Specialty/Branded Portfolio, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., said, “Several health and medical experts, both in and outside of Glenmark are eager to seethe effect thatFavipiravir has on COVID-19 cases. We believe thestudy results will be significant as there is currently no effective treatment for the virus.” She added, “The data we get from these trials will point us in a clearer direction with regard to COVID-19 treatment and management.” Further, Mr. Sujesh Vasudevan, President, India Formulations, Middle East and Africa, Glenmark PharmaceuticalsLtd. mentioned “Our effort isto launch a treatment for COVID-19 patients as soon as possible and control the spread ofthe pandemic. We will do all it takes toensure accessibility of the product across the country if the clinical trials are successful.”

Glenmark was the first pharmaceutical company in India to be given an approval by the regulator to start the trial on COVID-19 patients in India. As per theapprovedclinical trial protocol, 150 subjects with mild to moderate COVID-19 will be randomized in the study in a 1:1 ratio to Favipiravir with standard supportive care or standalone standard supportive care. Treatment duration is a maximumof 14 days and the total study duration will be a maximumof 28 days from randomization.

About Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (GPL) is a global research-led pharmaceutical company with presence across Generics, Specialty and OTC business with operations in over 50 countries. Glenmark’s key therapy focus areas globally are respiratory, dermatology and oncology. It is ranked among the top 80 Pharma & Biotech companies of the world in terms of revenue (SCRIP 100 Rankings published in the year 2019).