A Japanese drug company has begun the final stages of human trials for its flu therapeutic for treating coronavirus, it announced Tuesday. Fujifilm's Toyama Chemical branch makes a drug called Avigan, which is approved in Japan for stopping the flu virus from replicating in the body. Researchers with the company think it may well have the same antiviral effect against the virus that causes COVID-19. Fujifilm's antiviral flu drug, Avigam (pictured) is entering a final stage of human trials in Japanese coronavirus patients, the company announced TuesdayAntiviral drugs work by stopping viruses from multiplying inside the human body. So just by getting to this third phase, Avigan has already performed well in terms of safety.

Source: Daily Mail March 31, 2020 22:54 UTC