Avigan set for approval this month in Japan as coronavirus drug

FDA-approved remdesivir on track for green light as soon as this week

20200504N Avigan

Avigan, developed by a subsidiary of Japan's Fujifilm Holdings, blocks viruses from reproducing within the body. (Photo by Koji Uema)

JUNTARO ARAI and RINA MITSUTAKE, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan looks to approve flu drug Avigan as a coronavirus treatment within the month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters Monday, speeding up the process by months.

The drug originally was on track for approval in July or later, but Abe has directed the health ministry to accelerate its review of the drug.

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