Strides Pharma gets DGCI approval to test potential Covid-19 drug

Glenmark was the first Indian firm to get approval from regulator to conduct trials on Favipiravir tablets, which are otherwise used to treat influenza

Strides Pharma Science has got approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct trials of antiviral drug Favipiravir in India, which is considered a potential treatment for Covid-19. 

“We have the approval to conduct human study and we will be starting the trials soon in India,” the Bengaluru-based company said on Thursday. 

Favipiravir is a generic version of Avigan, initially developed in Japan to treat influenza. The product is being exported to Gulf countries by Strides to treat patients under a programme for Covid-19. The tablets are being manufactured at Strides’ flagship facility in Bengaluru, which can