Japan's Kowa says ivermectin has 'antiviral effect' against Omicron, other variants (updated)
31/01/2022 11:02
(Adds details)
TOKYO, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Japanese trading and
pharmaceutical company Kowa Co Ltd 7807.T said on Monday
anti-parasite drug ivermectin has an "antiviral effect" against
Omicron and other variants of COVID-19 as Phase III clinical
trials continue.
The company did not provide further details.
The firm has been working with Kitasato University https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2031200120,
a medical university in Tokyo, on testing the drug which is
used to treat parasites in animals and humans, as a potential
treatment for COVID-19.
Clinical trials are ongoing but promotion of the drug as a
COVID-19 treatment has generated controversy https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/joni-mitchell-removes-music-spotify-over-vaccine-misinformation-2022-01-29.
The drug is not approved for treatment of COVID-19 in Japan
and the U.S. Federal Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19,
the World Health Organization and the EU drug regulator have
warned against its use. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2LT26E
(Reporting by Sam Nussey and Rocky Swift;
Editing by Tomasz Janowskiand Louise Heavens)
((sam.nussey@tr.com;))