Once Favored By Late Shinzo Abe, Japan Culls Development On Repurposed COVID-19 Treatment


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  • Fujifilm Holdings Corp (OTC:FUJIY) (OTC:FUJIF) has discontinued the development of its anti-influenza drug, Avigan (favipiravir), for use as a therapeutic drug against COVID-19.
  • In 2021, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical began a phase 3 clinical trial in Japan with a target enrollment of 316 subjects to confirm Avigan's efficacy in preventing the progression to severe symptoms in COVID-19 patients who have not yet been vaccinated. 
  • However, enrollment was terminated at 84 subjects in March 2022 following a change of circumstances, including improvement in the vaccination rate and the spread of the Omicron variants, which have lower symptom severity rates than conventional strains. 
  • The company said that subsequent analysis of data from 84 people enrolled in the trial showed no significant results.
  • At the time, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had hoped for early approval of the drug and pledged to donate it to needy countries, Reuters reported. Abe, who left office in 2020, was assassinated in July during a political rally.

Crypto Whales Are Loading Up — Are You?

New research shows the biggest crypto buyers are back. And this time? They could hold for the possibility that Bitcoin will surpass $100,000 in 2024. You don’t want to miss the next massive crypto bull run like we saw in 2020 and 2021. To know exactly what’s going on and what to buy… Get Access To Benzinga’s Best Crypto Research and Investments For Only $1.


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Posted In: BiotechNewsHealth CareGeneralBriefsCOVID-19 Coronavirus