Shionogi & Co. has entered into an additional purchasing contract of Xocova (Generic name: ensitrelvir fumaric acid), that recently obtained emergency regulatory approval in Japan for the indication of SARS-CoV-2 infection , with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on December 12, 2022.

 

This contract is for the Japanese government to purchase additional Xocova tablets for 1 million courses. Shionogi and the MHLW have been discussing to secure a certain number of courses of Xocova beside the first contract for the Japanese government to purchase 1 million courses of Xocova immediately after approval, so that Xocova can be widely provided to COVID-19 patients, primarily in Japan, in accordance with the basic agreement for domestic supply of Xocova signed by Shionogi and the MHLW in March 2022 .

 

As stated in the administrative notice of the MHLW, which was revised yesterday, from December 15, 2022, medical institutions and pharmacies selected by each prefecture will be able to prescribe and prepare Xocova, in addition to existing facilities that can be registered. Both parties have reached the conclusion of this contract since the supply of Xocova is expected to increase.

 

Xocova is an oral antiviral agent administered once daily for five days that suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by selectively inhibiting the viral 3CL protease. Shionogi plans to deliver this additional quantity by the end of the year so that it can contribute a steady supply of this new option for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

 

To achieve a more stable supply of this drug, Shionogi will continue to work closely with the MHLW and cooperating institutions regarding management of the distribution of Xocova, and will discuss with the MHLW the transition to general distribution in Japan.