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Third Time Lucky As Japan Finally Approves Shionogi’s Oral COVID Antiviral

Simpler Dosing To Help Xocova?

 
• By Ian Haydock and Lisa Takagi

Shionogi’s once-daily oral COVID-19 antiviral finally gets Japan approval after being considered for the third time by an expert panel, paving the way for public availability of the country’s first such home-grown option in early December.

The Japanese government finally approved Xocova after third discussion
Japan finally gives stamp of approval to Xocova • Source: Shutterstock

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.’s oral antiviral for COVID-19, Xocova (ensitrelvir), has been approved in Japan on its third attempt and will become the third such drug available in the country, although the first to have been developed by a domestic pharma firm.

The 3CL protease inhibitor was granted authorization by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare under an urgent approval system on 22 November after a positive recommendation the same day from an expert advisory panel, for use in patients aged 12 and older

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