Virafin gets DCGI nod,Zydus says it reduces need for oxygen support

Pharma giant Zydus Cadila has received emergency use approval from the Indian regulator (DCGI) for the use of its anti-viral drug 'Virafin'. At a time when India's healthcare infrastructure is reeling under tremendous pressure, Virafin is being presented as a drug that can reduce the need for oxygen support and improve recovery time among moderate cases of Covid-19. Zydus says 91.15 per cent of adult patients treated with Virafin tested negative for coronavirus using RT-PCR negative in seven days. A Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b drug, Virafin, is to be administered in a single dose subcutaneous (under the skin) regimen.

When administered early on during COVID-19, Virafin will help patients recover faster and avoid much of the complications, the company said. In a release, Cadila Health highlighted that "the drug has also shown efficacy against other viral infections." In its Phase III clinical trials, the therapy had shown better clinical improvement in the patients suffering from COVID-19. During the trials, a higher proportion of patients administered with PegIFN arm were RT-PCR negative by day 7. The drug ensures faster viral clearance and has several add-on advantages compared to other anti-viral agents, the release further reads.