Chinese doctors say Avigan "clearly effective" in COVID-19

19 March 2020

With evidence from Chinese authorities suggesting that Avigan (favipiravir) could be effective in treating the symptoms of COVID-19, shares in the drug’s developer, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, have surged.

Zhang Xinmin, from China’s science and technology ministry, said the drug had “a high degree of safety,” and that it was “clearly effective in treatment.”

Avigan has produced encouraging outcomes in clinical studies enrolling over 300 patients in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, as well as in Shenzhen.

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