Mumbai: API Major, Lasa Supergenerics and Institute of Chemical Technology had come together in the month of March 2020 in effort to bring the antiviral to the market as a promising therapy to fight the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Favipiravir is an antiviral drug and is a promising antidote for the treatment of Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019). It possesses activity against many RNA viruses. It is a guanine analogue approved for influenza treatment. It can effectively inhibit the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of RNA viruses such as influenza, Ebola, yellow fever, chikungunya, norovirus and enterovirus, and a recent study reported its activity against 2019-nCoV.

Commenting on the development, Dr Omkar Herlekar, Chairman– Lasa Supergenerics Limited, said Efforts over the last few months has brought success and we are looking to manufacture close to 10,000 doses to begin with and in the meanwhile also apply for the drug license with competent authorities and continue to seek strategic private investments or Government aid. Our move into human steroid API is in line with the organisation's inherent strengths and objectives to diversify.

Commenting on the antivirals successful synthesis, Prof. Vikas N Telvekar, ICT, Mumbai, said we are happy to share with you that the Favipiravir molecule has been successfully synthesized in the ICT laboratory on a lab-scale and further pilot plan scale-up is required."

Recently in its Q4 results, the company reported a healthy increase in its PAT to Rs 3.63 cr for FY20, as compared to a loss of Rs 12.04 cr in the corresponding period last fiscal.

Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Formerly the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) is a Public deemed University specialized in Chemical Technology located in Mumbai, India. It is focused in training and research in various branches of chemical engineering, chemical technology and pharmacy.

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