Glenmark Begins Phase III Trial of Anti-Viral Combo in COVID-19

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical company, began a new randomized, open-label study in 158 hospitalized patients to test the combined efficacy of two antiviral drugs Favipiravir and Umifenovir as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Favipiravir is an oral antiviral drug, approved in Japan since 2014, that inhibits viral replication. Umifenovir is another oral antiviral drug licensed for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A and B infections in Russia and China. Umifenovir impedes the viral attachment to cells and acts as a viral entry inhibitor. Additionally it exhibits modulatory effects on the immune system and induces interferon-production. The combined use of Favipiravir and Umifenovir acting on different mechanisms offers a comprehensive antiviral cover on pre-entry and post-entry life-cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Both antivirals inhibited virus infection in vitro and have shown efficacy in COVID-19 clinical trials.

Glenmark is also conducting Phase III trials of Favipiravir as a COVID-19 monotherapy option in 150 patients, enrolled from nine government and private hospitals across India.