Shionogi in talks with U.S. to supply COVID oral drug

Japanese drugmaker also says vaccine proven effective in trials

Shionogi is set to start clinical trials in the U.S. for its COVID-19 oral therapy.(Nikkei montage/Photos by Tomoki Mera, Shionogi)

HISASHI IWATO, Nikkei staff writer

April 23, 2022 03:34 JST

OSAKA -- Japanese drugmaker Shionogi & Co. said Friday that it has entered talks with the U.S. government to supply its oral medication for COVID-19 currently in development.

Shionogi is preparing for clinical trials for the drug in the U.S., due to begin this month at the earliest. The pill would be Japan's first domestically developed oral COVID treatment.