Fujifilm Holdings Corp will restart a clinical trial in Japan of its antiviral drug Avigan for the treatment of Covid-19, the Nikkei newspaper has reported.

Domestic approval of the drug was delayed after a health ministry panel said in December that trial data was inconclusive.

The new study will involve about 270 patients and Fujifilm will aim to seek approval again in October, Nikkei said.

Tablets of Avigan, developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co are displayed during a photo opportunity at Fujifilm's headquarters in Tokyo. — Reuters/File
Tablets of Avigan, developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co are displayed during a photo opportunity at Fujifilm's headquarters in Tokyo. — Reuters/File

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