1. Scrip
  2. >>COVID-19

With Interferon, Zydus Cadila Launches Third Salvo Against COVID-19

Vaccine Also Moving Towards Trials

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Cadila Healthcare is evaluating the use of pegylated interferon alpha-2b to treat COVID-19 and will explore the possibility of approval in the US under the compassionate use program. This marks the company’s third front to fight the disease after hydroxychloroquine and a vaccine.

Runners_Blue_Background
Third Cadila Candidate Now In COVID-19 Race • Source: Shutterstock

After hydroxychloroquine and vaccines, Cadila Healthcare Ltd., the flagship firm of India's Zydus Cadila group, has opened a new front to tackle COVID-19 and is working on filing an investigational new drug application in the US for the use of pegylated interferon alpha-2b to treat the disease.

The company said a study conducted by the University of Texas Branch and another by a group of universities in China, Australia and Canada suggested that if a long-acting molecule like pegylated interferon alpha is given early on, COVID-19 patients benefit significantly as the viral load is reduced,

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from COVID-19

Arcturus and CSL Take on Pfizer With Longer-Lasting COVID Vaccine

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Kostaive is the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval from the European Commission and could provide serious competition to Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax.

Under-Pressure Moderna Banks $590m To Speed Up Bird Flu Vaccine

 
• By Kevin Grogan

A week after a downbeat forecast at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the US mRNA specialist has pocketed another sizeable sum from the US Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate development of an H5N1 mRNA pandemic influenza vaccine.

Stock Watch: Q3, Bonfire Of The Vaccine Manufacturers

 
• By Andy Smith

Pfizer’s and Moderna’s quarterly pandemic-related product sales could not mask other weaknesses while GSK’s quarter was marred by unimpressive non-pandemic vaccines sales.

Meiji Considers Legal Action Amid Japan Misinformation On Kostaive Vaccine

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japanese distributor Meiji Seika Pharma is considering possible legal action against what it views as online slander around COVID-19 vaccine Kostaive, which received its global-first approval in Japan last year and has now been launched for regular vaccination in the country.

More from Scrip

Executives On The Move: Pathos Procures CEO From AstraZeneca, New CEO For TME Pharma, And More

Recent moves in the industry include changes at the top at Akamis Bio, Innospera Pharma & Ispen, plus Astellas Korea appoints an ex-Novartis Korea executive.

In Brief: Sanofi Commits $20bn To US R&D And Manufacturing By 2030

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Move by French major aligns with broader industry efforts to localize production amid political pressure, as Trump pushes to onshore manufacturing and hints at easing tariff threats.

Eisai Forecasts 73% Leqembi Sales Rise In FY25 As Demand Expands

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Eisai spent most of its FY24 earnings call discussing plans for growing sales of Biogen-partnered Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi from JPY44.3bn ($304.1m) to JPY76.5bn ($525.1m) in FY25.