APLIF - FUJIFILM faces uncertain prospects for its COVID-19 drug

Citing government sources, Kyodo News reports that Japanese health authorities have found it difficult to conclude the effectiveness of the anti-viral drug, Avigan, developed by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co., a unit of Fujifilm Holdings (FUJIF).The findings by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency serves as material for a crucial health ministry review on Monday that will likely decide its regulatory approval against COVID-19 in Japan.After testing 156 patients without severe COVID-19 symptoms, Fujifilm has found that those administered with Avigan showed improvement after 11.9 days compared to 14.7 days for the placebo group. In addition to the lack of clarity over symptom improvement, the doctors conducting the trial knew who received Avigen or placebo, the report noted, raising concerns over how the tests were performed.  However, the drug already approved for influenza had not raised new safety concerns, the company said.Sponsored by Appili Therapeutics (APLIF), Avigan, also known as favipiravir,

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FUJIFILM faces uncertain prospects for its COVID-19 drug