Hyderabad: After the Natco Pharma on Monday has sought approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India for a phase-III clinical trial of Molnupiravir capsules for the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients many Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical companies are now preparing for the third phase of clinical trials of Molnupiravir.
City-based Optimus Pharma is reported to have developed a generic Molnupiravir drug. The company revealed that it has sought the approval of DGCI (Drug Controller General of India) for phase-III clinical trials of the drug.
Optimus Pharma Chairman and CEO Dr. D Srinivas Reddy said, "The company is ready to release the drug into the market as soon as it gets DGCI nod. Pre-clinical trials were identified to have been effective against the SARS-CoV-2, and no adverse effects were reported. The company is trying to release Molnupiravir in 800mg dose."
Optimus Pharma has also been producing Favipavir which is used to treat mild and moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
Read: Natco seeks approval for phase-3 trial of Molnupiravir for COVID-19 treatment
Earlier, The National Medical Products Administration of China approved the use of Favilavir or Favipavir, an anti-viral drug, as a treatment for coronavirus. The drug has reportedly shown efficacy in treating the disease in a clinical trial involving 70 patients. Clinical trials are on to assess the efficacy of this medication. Though, it is advised not to consume any medication unless the protocol is approved by the doctor.
Read: Single Dose Of COVID Vax Can Cut Transmission By Up To Half
DGCI has also approved clinical trials of COVID-19 antidote VINCOV-19. The drug was developed by city-based Vins Bioproducts Limited in partnership with CCMB (Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology) and the University of Hyderabad.
The company in a statement on Monday said, "It got approval for clinical trials, the company is now preparing to conduct phase-III trials on 300 confirmed COVID-19 patients across the country.
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Siddharth Daga, Executive Director of Vins Bioproducts said that the company’s preclinical trials in October 2020 were successful.
