Fujifilm Could Relaunch Avigan Study for COVID-19

Fujifilm is reportedly considering restarting a study evaluating its antiviral Avigan (favipiravir) for treating COVID-19 patients, after the drug suffered a setback in late 2020.

Originally approved for treating influenza, Japan’s health ministry panel said in December that trial data meant to support the drug’s indication as a COVID-19 antiviral were inconclusive.

Fujifilm is betting that Avigan, which inhibits the RNA polymerase enabling the flu virus to replicate, will work against the coronavirus, another RNA virus. Details on the upcoming trial were not available.