Shionogi & Co. on Friday submitted an application for conditional early approval for Japan¡¯s first domestically developed COVID-19 pill, which the government hopes could be a ¡°trump card¡± in preventing serious illness and bringing an end to the prolonged pandemic.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has signaled the central government will expedite the review process to pave the way for a swift approval if the drug¡¯s efficacy and safety are confirmed. Shionogi has said it hopes to begin shipments of the treatment as soon as the end of this month.
If formally approved, Shionogi¡¯s experimental drug would become the third COVID-19 oral anti-viral pill for the treatment of mild symptoms to be given the OK in Japan, after Merck & Co.¡¯s molnupiravir and Pfizer Inc.¡¯s Paxlovid.
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