(RTTNews) – Shares of FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. (FUJIF. PK, FUJIY. PK) rose approximately 5% in Japan after its FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co. , Ltd. unit announced that the Flu drug Avigan has faced the main criteria in the Phase III clinical trial in Japan for patients with COVID-19.
The number one efficacy criterion is the negative conversion time of detectable viral RNA of SARS-CoV 2 at RT-PCR doses and the relief of symptoms, such as frame temperature, oxygen saturation and chest images.
FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical initiated a Phase III clinical trial of Avigan in Japan in March 2020 for patients with COVID-19 with non-severe pneumonia.
The randomized, placebo-controlled and simple blind comparative examination performed to evaluate the efficacy and protection of Avigan.
The company will conduct a detailed investigation of the knowledge received in this trial and paintings on the submission of an application for partial modifications to come with the additional indication from October.
Avigan is approved for manufacture and sale in Japan as an antiviral drug opposed to influenza. Selectively inhibits polymeric RNA for influenza virus replication. Because of this mechanism of action, Avigan is expected to have an antiviral effect on the new coronavirus. , as they are RNA viruses of the same type as influenza viruses.
Fujifilm added that it is working to increase Avigan production in collaboration with strategic partners to meet the Japanese government’s demands to accumulate stocks of Avigan and other countries to obtain the drug.
The Japanese have already stored Avigan in anticipation of the outbreak of the new flu.
In Japan, FUJIFILM stocks stood at 5,275 Japanese yen, up 4. 73%.