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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

GS-III :
  • 19 June, 2020

  • 5 Min Read

Umifenovir

Umifenovir

Context

  • CSIR constituent lab CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute(CDRI) Lucknow, has received permission for carrying out Phase III randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of antiviral drug Umifenovir.

Umifenovir

  • This drug has a good safety profile and acts by preventing the entry of viruses into human cells and also by priming the immune system.
  • Umifenovir is mainly used for the treatment of influenza and is available in China and Russia, and has recently come into prominence due to its potential use for Covid19 patients.
  • To evaluate its efficacy in Indian patients, CSIR-CDRI has taken up a clinical trial.
  • Further, it has developed the process technology for Umifenovir in record time and licensed the economical process technology for manufacturing and marketing the drug to M/s. Medizest Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd. Goa, has already received a test license from DCGI.
  • All the raw materials for the drug are indigenously available and if the clinical trial is successful, Umifenovir can be a safe, efficacious, affordable drug against COVID-19 and can be part of the National Program against COVID-19.
  • Prof. Kundu also added that this drug has the potential for prophylactic use(intended to prevent disease.)

Source: PIB


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