COVID-19：Japan Denka production of ‘Avigan’ raw material:supplies to pharma
Avigan raw materials: Production increase
To increase production of Avigan, Denka Corporation (a chemical manufacturer in Japan) has announced that it will resume production of organic compounds used as raw materials for Avigan and supply it to pharmaceutical companies.
About “Avigan”:
A new influenza drug developed by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical.
Clinical trials are currently underway to receive approval from the Japanese government for the treatment of the novel coronavirus.
“Diethyl malonate”:
The organic compound “diethyl malonate”, a raw material of this Avigan, was announced by Denka to be produced next month and supplied to Fujifilm Toyama Chemical.
Denka is the only manufacturer in Japan that manufactures diethyl malonate, but had suspended production facilities in April 2017.
received a request from the national government “want to use domestically produced raw materials to create an integrated supply system for Avigan in Japan.”
So they decided to restart the equipment and resume production.
Denka commented, “We will take measures against the new coronavirus as a social responsibility and quickly build a production system to ensure a reliable supply.”
NHK News
Notice Regarding Supply of Raw Materials for “Avigan”
~ Producing diethyl malonate to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection ~
April 2, 2020
Denka Corporation
At the request of the Japanese government, Denka Co., Ltd. has recently launched an anti-influenza virus drug “Avigan® Tablet” (generic name: Fabipiravir, hereinafter referred to as “Avigan”) for patients with novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Has decided to supply diethyl malonate, which is a raw material for the product.
Production is scheduled to begin at the Aomi Plant in Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture in May this year.
Diethyl malonate: Denka Corporation
Diethyl malonate is an organic compound used as a raw material for synthetic fragrances, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.
It is the raw material for “Avigan”.
We are the only manufacturer of diethyl malonate in Japan.
Monochloroacetic acid: Denac Corporation
The raw material, monochloroacetic acid, is also produced by Denac Corporation, the only company in Japan.
https://www.denka.co.jp/storage/news/pdf/714/20200402_denka_supply_dem.pdf