Pandemic-related collaborations between Hoth/VCU; Sorrento/Mt. Sinai Health; Audax/Northeastern U.; Alkido/U. of Maryland, Baltimore; Active Motif/Hisun BioRay/Fudan U. and more.

In a preliminary assessment of repurposed COVID-19 treatments by a government-appointed panel to assess the readiness and potential of a drug to be used in India, favipiravir and tocilizumab have emerged as front-runners. With Strides Pharma exporting the antiviral and Glenmark set to begin clinical trials, even the industry is supporting favipiravir, which is already in studies in Japan and China.

As China is poised to supply medical products to fight the coronavirus around the world, a battle to banish its image of poor product quality is on.

Development work for antivirals such as favipiravir and remdesivir seen as potential treatments for coronavirus is underway in India, with the former’s off-patent status making it more attractive. All eyes are also on data from a French study which highlights the potential of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a COVID-19 treatment.