COVID-19: Nichiiko to increase production of Futhan (nafamostat): provided to Latus Therapeutics
Nichiiko:
At the financial results briefing held on May 18, the company announced that it would increase the production of drug for acute pancreatitis, Futhan.
Futhan (Nafamostat):
It is expected to be one of the candidates for new coronavirus infections.
In the future, we decided to make a capital investment at the Aichi factory.
Aiming to start operations in January 2021, with a system of 1 million pieces a year.
Futhan clinical trials:
It is a long-term listed product inherited by Nichiiko from Torii Pharmaceutical, and the current prescription amount is 600,000 to 700,000 bottles a year.
In March 2020, the University of Tokyo research group made a presentation suggesting its efficacy against the new coronavirus.
Futhan will be provided free of charge for clinical research that is underway in the world.
Japan: University of Tokyo
We are promoting specific clinical research in collaboration with the University of Tokyo Hospital and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM).
United Kingdom: Latus Therapeutics
A collaborative study has been launched by Oxford University and the University of Edinburgh to evaluate the efficacy.
Nichi-Iko donates the necessary Futhan.
Chemical Daily
https://www.chemicaldaily.co.jp/
Press Release ｜ The University of Tokyo Hospital
-“Combination therapy of favipiravir and nafamostat mesilate for COVID-19 patients with pneumonia”-
Start of multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (specific clinical study)
The University of Tokyo Hospital
Targeting SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with pneumonia,
With favipiravir (Abigan® Tablets 200mg)
Nafamostat mesilate (Futhan ® 50 for injection)
A specific clinical study of combination therapy has begun.
This test will be conducted in collaboration with the University of Tokyo Hospital and other facilities.
https://www.h.u-tokyo.ac.jp/press/20200508.html
News | Latus Therapeutics
Latus Therapeutics is leading a joint research team of scientists from the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh.
The trial
aims to evaluate the effectiveness for the treatment of COVID-19 of
Nafamostat Mesilate (brand name: Futhan),
an existing medicine for other indications in Japan. Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Japan-based leading drug manufacturer,
has generously donated supplies of Nafamostat for the initial clinical evaluation.
This crucial research
will utilise an existing medicine that has previously been shown to prevent the virus from infecting human cells in the laboratory.
Unlike vaccine treatments, which will take time to develop, this drug could be used immediately to fight COVID-19, having safely been used in Japan for 35 years to treat pancreatitis.
Studies have shown that
the drug blocks virus entry into lung cells and prevents it from multiplying in the human body. In this way we hope it will reduce the severity of disease in infected individuals.
This study is being supported
by a grant from the medical research charity LifeArc as part of its activity to address the need for new therapies for COVID-19.