Zydus gets EUA for single-dose 'Virafin' to treat moderate Covid infection

Zydus says 91.15 per cent of patients treated with PegIFN were RT-PCR negative by day 7. The treatment significantly reduces the hours of supplemental oxygen in the patients

Zydus Cadila on Friday announced that it has received restricted emergency use approval from the Indian drug regulator, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), for the use of ‘Virafin’, Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b (PegIFN) in treating moderate coronavirus infection in adults. 

The approval follows promising results from a late-stage study of the drug, and comes in the middle of a massive wave of COVID-19 cases in India, which has overwhelmed its health system and left many hospitals short of critical oxygen supplies.

"A single dose subcutaneous regimen of the antiviral Virafin will make the treatment more convenient for the patients.