TOKYO, April 22, 2020 — Ube Industries, Ltd. announced today that it will begin manufacturing and supplying the critical intermediates that constitute the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) core skeleton for the influenza antiviral drug Avigan® Tablet (generic name: favipiravir), which was developed by FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd.
Avigan is expected to offer potential benefits for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amid a global pandemic. The Japanese government is fast-tracking clinical trials and approvals for Avigan while also supporting the establishment of a framework for manufacturing in Japan.
Ube Industries manufactures APIs and intermediates for pharmaceuticals in the global market, while having experience manufacturing and supplying intermediates for the influenza antiviral drug Avigan. Ube Industries is cooperating with other companies in the supply chain to advance preparations for emergency manufacturing, in an effort to get Avigan quicker to patients who have contracted COVID-19.
Ube Industries was founded in the spirit of “coexistence and mutual prosperity” and is committed to fulfilling its corporate mission to society by meeting the needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.