Recently published fact on Favipiravir as treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 reveals considerable enhancement in time to clinical cure

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 23: The oral antiviral medication Favipiravir, that thwarts the replication stage of the virus life-cycle, results in considerable enhancement in clinical cure in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. These revelations were detected in a randomized, monitored Phase 3 clinical research undertaken by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, and the results are now published online in The International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID). The IJID is a worldwide renowned, peer-reviewed, pubmed indexed, open access journal published monthly by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, USA. The published observations will also appear in the print edition of the journal in the upcoming weeks. The publication on the study titled "Efficacy and Safety of Favipiravir, an Oral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitor, in Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19: A Randomized, Comparative, Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase 3 Clinical Trial" was authored by Dr. Zarir .F. Udwadia and other co-authors . The Phase 3 study with antiviral drug Favipiravir, brand name FabiFlu®, was conducted in 150 patients as part of a randomised, open label, multicenter, Phase 3 study. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Favipiravir plus standard supportive care (Favipiravir treatment arm), versus standard supportive care alone (control arm), in mild to moderate patients, randomized within a 48 hour window of testing RT-PCR positive for COVID-19. Favipiravir was found to provide multiple treatment benefits, demonstrated by faster time to clinical cure, and significantly delayed the need for supportive oxygen therapy. Additionally, patients of confirmed COVID-19 with moderate symptoms were discharged from hospital earlier than those patients that did not receive Favipiravir, with the median time to clinical cure reduced by 2.5 days compared with the control group. Dr Zarir F. Udwadia. MD, FRCP, FCCP, Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai, commented "Every claim for the efficacy of a new drug in COVID-19 must be backed by evidence from a clinical trial. Glenmark has done just that with Favipiravir. Their well-designed trial in 150 patients showed Favipiravir resulted in a significantly improved time to clinical cure and rapid viral clearance. Based on this I would consider the use of this anti-viral drug in symptomatic patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. I eagerly await the results of similar trials presently being conducted in Boston and at Stanford." Since it was first pronounced a pandemic by the WHO in March, COVID-19 has continued to impact the lives of millions of people globally. As of date, over 50 mn. cases have been reported, with over 1 mn. deaths attributed to this disease. The virus has reportedly spread to all around the world and territories across the globe. Most disease cases are mild to moderate, with symptoms including fever, cough and breathlessness. In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. Favipiravir is an antiviral medication that works by inhibiting a viral enzyme called RdRP (RNA dependent RNA polymerase), thereby halting the virus's replication cycle. This helps control the multiplication of the virus and prevents its spread in the patient. This mechanism of action of Favipiravir is novel compared to most antivirals that primarily prevent entry and exit of the virus from cells. Several published reports are now available of the drug's effectiveness against COVID-19. Mr. Robert Crockart, Chief Commercial Officer Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said, "From the first reported case of COVID-19, our every effort was to bring a viable, safe and effective treatment option to patients in a timely manner. It is encouraging to see our trial results now published in a reputed global medical journal, which we hope will support other countries in their fight against this disease." Patients in the Glenmark clinical trial received Favipiravir tablets 3,600 mg (1,800 mg BID) (Day 1) + 1,600 mg (800 mg BID) (Day 2 or later) for up to maximum of 14 days, along with standard supportive care. Randomization was stratified based on disease severity into mild and moderate. Favipiravir was well tolerated with no serious adverse events (SAEs) or deaths in the Favipiravir treated arm. The pre-specified primary endpoint, time from randomisation to cessation of oral shedding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, demonstrated a 2 day earlier virological cure in the Favipiravir treatment group, though not statistically significant. However, significant improvement in time to clinical cure and other secondary end-points suggest Favipiravir may be beneficial in the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. "The study, which was undertaken by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, at a time when the number of cases for infections were dramatically increasing around the globe, demonstrates Glenmark's commitment to ensuring all patients have access to affordable medication, to make a positive impact on their quality of life," said Dr. Monika Tandon, Sr. Vice President & Head - Clinical Development, Global Specialty/Branded Portfolio at Glenmark. In June 2020, Glenmark received manufacturing and marketing approval from India's drug regulator for Favipiravir (FabiFlu®), making it the first oral approved medication in India for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. The manufacturing and marketing approval was granted as part of an accelerated approval process, considering the emergency situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in India. The approval's restricted use entails responsible medication use where every patient must have signed informed consent before treatment initiation. About The International Journal of Infectious Diseases The International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID) is a peer-reviewed, pubmed indexed, open access journal that publishes original clinical and laboratory-based research, together with reports of clinical trials, reviews, and some case reports dealing with the epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and control of infectious diseases with particular emphasis placed on those diseases that are most common in under-resourced countries. IJID is published monthly by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, USA About Favipiravir Favipiravir is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitor approved for the treatment of novel influenza viruses in Japan and China, with approvals for use in the pandemic across several countries in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Reports of in-vitro studies have demonstrated that Favipiravir can have an effective concentration against the SARS-CoV-2 infection within safe therapeutic dose. Additionally, Favipiravir being an oral formulation - and considering that ∼80% of COVID-19 cases are categorized as mild to moderate - is likely to address unmet clinical needs of a sizeable majority of patient population, which can mostly be treated on an outpatient basis. 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). For more information, visit www.glenmarkpharma.com.