Coronavirus Update: Japan Paxlovid Approval, US Lifts Covaxin IND Hold

Japan has added to its growing arsenal of COVID-19 treatments with the approval of the oral antiviral Paxlovid, while the US FDA has lifted a clinical hold on Bharat's vaccine, which has shown potential against Omicron. Also, Biological E's vaccine is approved for use in adolescents in India

Paxlovid
Another Approval For Paxlovid, This Time In Japan • Source: Alamy

Japan’s Ministry of health, Labour and Welfare issued an expedited emergency approval on 10 February for Pfizer Inc.’s oral antiviral Paxlovid, for use in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients aged 12 or older and weighing at least 40kg and at high risk for developing severe symptoms.

The therapy, comprising the 3CL protease inhibitor nirmatrelvir and existing antiviral ritonavir, was approved in the US in December and the EU in January, and the Japan nod came immediately after a positive opinion from an advisory panel the same day, following an approval application made on 14 January

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