Singapore: Japan's Fujifilm has already started the production of its anti-influenza drug Avigan Tablet 200mg (Favipiravir) in preparation for its expected approval for Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Avigan Tablets were developed by Fujifilm Group company Toyama Chemical as an anti-influenza drug. According to research reports, Avigan has shown efficacy against the Ebola virus in animal testing with mice, and Avigan has already been administered as an emergency treatment to several EVD patients evacuated from West Africa to Europe. Fujifilm provided Avigan Tablets to these patients in response to requests from governments and medical organizations treating the evacuated patients following discussions with the Japanese government.

The governments of France and Guinea are planning to conduct clinical trials of Avigan Tablets in Guinea as a treatment for EVD in mid-November. Fujifilm has received a request to provide Avigan Tablets and pharmaceutical information on the product for use in these clinical trials, and will continue to coordinate its response in cooperation with the relevant authorities in France, Guinea and Japan.

According to the company, if the clinical trial shows efficacy and safety of Avigan Tablets as treatment for EVD, Fujifilm is expected to receive requests to provide the products for large-scale clinical use. Fujifilm currently has stock of Avigan Tablets for 20,000 courses as well as an additional inventory of active pharmaceutical ingredient roughly for 300,000 courses. In preparation for further clinical use, the company will start production of Avigan Tablets for administration to EVD patients in mid-November.