CDRI gets nod for trial of antiviral drug

Web Desk
The CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, has received permission for carrying out clinical trials of antiviral drug Umifenovir for treating coronavirus patients, a statement said on Thursday.
Umifenovir is mainly used for treatment of influenza and is available in China and Russia, and has come to its prominence due to its potential use for COVID-19 patients. CSIR-CDRI has taken up the clinical trial to evaluate its efficacy in Indian patient. The statement said that the drug had a good safety profile and acts a barrier for the human cells preventing potential entry of virus. The phase III clinical trials will be carried out soon.
Director of CSIR-CDRI Tapas Kundu said all the raw materials are indigenously available and if the clinical test is successful, Umifenvoir can be a safe and affordable drug against COVID-19. Dr Shekhar Mande, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) said that his clinical trial is an integral part of the CSIR Strategy for repurposing drugs for COVID-19. CSIR labs have been trying to repurpose existing drugs to
The CSIR is also evaluating the potential use of Mycobacterium W(MW) for faster recovery of hospitalised COVID-19 patients.