Cellvera, a global biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative antiviral therapies, and the Global Response Aid announced a supply of millions of its COVID-19 oral antiviral Avigan to Malaysia in the coming weeks. Cellvera holds directly, or through its affiliates worldwide (excluding Japan), exclusive rights to Avigan and all strengths and formulations of Favipiravir. This broad-spectrum oral antiviral drug targets COVID-19 and 11 other infectious diseases . Favipiravir works by inhibiting a viral enzyme called RNA polymerase, preventing viral replication within human cells. This viral enzyme is common to several viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

Avigan was granted emergency use approval for the treatment of COVID-19 and influenza in several markets, including Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Mexico, and India. 

Several other countries purchase it on a compassionate patient basis, including the United Kingdom, Greece, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia. The governments of those countries continue to stockpile and have ordered a total of 80m tablets in the past 12 months.

Malaysia has recorded nearly 2.8 million cases of COVID-19 infections 31,000 deaths, the third-highest in Southeast Asia. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin recently warned that daily caseloads could reach 30,000 by March if the Omicron variant is not managed.

Dr. Alessandro Gadotti, CEO of Cellvera, said: "We are pleased that the Malaysian government recognizes Avigan as an essential treatment option for COVID-19. The increasing number of patients being administered Avigan worldwide puts us on the front line of the global fight against COVID-19 and future pandemic preparedness. Avigan? plays a key role in helping patients recover faster as well as in reducing the overload of the healthcare systems." Gadotti continued, The government health authorities invest in Avigan? as they understand the need of having an arsenal of different treatment options for diversified patient populations. Thus, we will continue ramping up supply of Avigan? to ensure all patients have the equal chance of quick recovery."