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Pharmaceuticals

Fujifilm starts clinical trial on Avigan for coronavirus

Company also says it is ready to ramp up production of the anti-flu medication

Tablets of Avigan shown in 2014. The anti-flu drug, made by a Fujifilm unit, is now in the spotlight as a possible coronavirus treatment   © Reuters

TOKYO -- Fujifilm Holdings announced Tuesday the start of a clinical trial for its flu-fighting drug Avigan to treat COVID-19, in which it will be administered to about 100 patients in Japanese hospitals to gauge safety and efficacy.

Some doctors in Japan are already using the medication to treat coronavirus patients for test purposes, but company-led clinical trials are a must to gain its approval for wide distribution.

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