Cipla Ltd has received Indian regulatory approval to sell anti-viral drug favipiravir to treat COVID-19, the drugmaker said on Friday, as coronavirus infections in the world`s third worst-hit nation show no sign of abating.

The Drug Controller General of India granted Cipla accelerated approval to make and sell favipiravir in an effort to meet the "urgent and unmet" need for COVID-19 treatment options in the country, the company said.

Indian drugmakers including Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd are racing to supply generic versions of favipiravir, originally developed by Japan's Fujifilm Holdings Corp as Avigan for treating influenza.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-vaccine-chinese-candidate-shows-promise-in-animal-trials-315696">Also read|&nbsp;Coronavirus vaccine: Chinese candidate shows promise in animal trials</a>

India reported over 49,000 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus with 740 new deaths on Friday, marking the biggest daily surge in cases, as officials in some states complained of shortages of vital drugs for those hospitalized.

Globally, coronavirus cases have crossed 15.5 million.

Cipla said it would launch favipiravir as "Ciplenza" in the first week of August, priced at $0.91 (INR 68) per 200 mg tablet.

Separately on Friday, much smaller Indian drugmaker Jenburkt Pharmaceuticals Ltd said it would launch its own version of favipiravir, priced at $ 0.52 (INR 39) per tablet.

Glenmark, meanwhile, sells a tablet of favipiravir for $1 (INR 75), with a patient typically requiring 122 tablets over 14 days for a treatment course, the company said. On Thursday, Glenmark said its version of the drug had showed promise in a late-stage clinical trial.

Cipla Ltd has received Indian regulatory approval to sell anti-viral drug favipiravir to treat COVID-19, the drugmaker said on Friday, as coronavirus infections in the world`s third worst-hit nation show no sign of abating.

Cipla Ltd has received Indian regulatory approval to sell anti-viral drug favipiravir to treat COVID-19, the drugmaker said on Friday, as coronavirus infections in the world`s third worst-hit nation show no sign of abating. The Drug Controller General of India granted Cipla accelerated approval to make and sell favipiravir in an effort to meet the "urgent and unmet" need for COVID-19 treatment options in the country, the company said. Indian drugmakers including Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd are racing to supply generic versions of favipiravir, originally developed by Japan's Fujifilm Holdings Corp as Avigan for treating influenza. Also read| Coronavirus vaccine: Chinese candidate shows promise in animal trials India reported over 49,000 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus with 740 new deaths on Friday, marking the biggest daily surge in cases, as officials in some states complained of shortages of vital drugs for those hospitalized. Globally, coronavirus cases have crossed 15.5 million. Cipla said it would launch favipiravir as "Ciplenza" in the first week of August, priced at $0.91 (INR 68) per 200 mg tablet. Separately on Friday, much smaller Indian drugmaker Jenburkt Pharmaceuticals Ltd said it would launch its own version of favipiravir, priced at $ 0.52 (INR 39) per tablet. Glenmark, meanwhile, sells a tablet of favipiravir for $1 (INR 75), with a patient typically requiring 122 tablets over 14 days for a treatment course, the company said. On Thursday, Glenmark said its version of the drug had showed promise in a late-stage clinical trial.

Cipla gets India approval to sell COVID-19 drug Favipiravir

Days after Glenmark Pharmaceuticals launched its anti-viral drug to treat coronavirus patients, the company's shares surged 40 per cent to Rs 572.7 on Monday in the intra-day trade on the BSE.&nbsp;

The company claims that FabiFlu is the first oral Favipiravir-approved medication in India to treat COVID-19.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-human-trials-for-potential-vaccine-begins-initial-results-expected-in-august-307069">COVID 19: Human trials for potential vaccine begins; initial results expected in August</a>

Favipiravir is undergoing trials in other countries too over its efficacy.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-results-of-german-companys-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-expected-in-two-months-307063">First results of German company's coronavirus vaccine trial expected in two months</a>

"This approval comes at a time when cases in India are spiralling like never before, putting tremendous pressure on our healthcare system," Glenn Saldanha, chairman and managing director of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said.

The prescription-based drug will be available at an MRP of Rs 3,500 for a strip of 34 tablets.&nbsp;

The pharma company's medication got approval from India's Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Friday.&nbsp;

Glenmark is also separately testing a combination of favipiravir and umifenovir, another anti-viral medicine, for its potential to treat coronavirus.&nbsp;

Days after Glenmark Pharmaceuticals launched its anti-viral drug to treat coronavirus patients, the company's shares surged 40 per cent to Rs 572.7 on Monday in the intra-day trade on the BSE.

Days after Glenmark Pharmaceuticals launched its anti-viral drug to treat coronavirus patients, the company's shares surged 40 per cent to Rs 572.7 on Monday in the intra-day trade on the BSE. The company claims that FabiFlu is the first oral Favipiravir-approved medication in India to treat COVID-19. Also read | COVID 19: Human trials for potential vaccine begins; initial results expected in August Favipiravir is undergoing trials in other countries too over its efficacy. Also read | First results of German company's coronavirus vaccine trial expected in two months "This approval comes at a time when cases in India are spiralling like never before, putting tremendous pressure on our healthcare system," Glenn Saldanha, chairman and managing director of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said. The prescription-based drug will be available at an MRP of Rs 3,500 for a strip of 34 tablets. The pharma company's medication got approval from India's Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Friday. Glenmark is also separately testing a combination of favipiravir and umifenovir, another anti-viral medicine, for its potential to treat coronavirus.

Glenmark's shares rise up to 40% following launch of potential coronavirus drug

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Cipla gets India approval to sell COVID-19 drug Favipiravir

Glenmark's shares rise up to 40% following launch of potential coronavirus drug