Rameda commences manufacture of “Anviziram” Tablets the Generic Equivalent of Japanese antiviral Avigan for treatment of Covid-19 patients and receives approval from Egyptian Drug Authority to manufacture Remedsivir
Rameda, a leading Egyptian pharmaceutical company, announced today that it has commenced the manufacture of Anviziram. Anviziram contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient Favipiravir, which is the generic form of the antiviral sold under the brand name Avigan in Japan. Rameda has also secured approval from Egyptian Drug Authority to begin manufacturing intravenous “Remedisivir” vials for use in the treatment of patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Avigan” is an antiviral drug developed by Toyama Chemicals, a division of the Japanese conglomerate Fujifilm, and contains the active ingredient Favipiravir. Avigan has been administered to covid-19 patients in clinical studies. Favipiravir is believed to combat covid-19 by inhibiting viral reproduction, with studies indicating that the drug assists in stabilizing viral reproduction four to six days from first use.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Health and Population have performed clinical trials to determine the efficacy of a range of possible treatments, including Favipiravir, for Covid-19. Favipiravir has been used for experimental treatment of Covid-19 and clinical trials in China, Italy, Japan, and Russia. The Russian Health Ministry has approved a generic version of the drug for use in hospital settings, making Russia the first country to permit such use of Favipiravir.
“Rameda is honoured to devote its capabilities and resources to serving the Egyptian people during this unique moment in world history,” said Dr. Amr Morsy, CEO of Rameda. “We would like to express our deep appreciation for the efforts carried out by the Ministry of Health and Population and the Egyptian Drug Authority. Rameda extends its heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Dr. Mohamed Awad Tageldin, advisor to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for public health, Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority Research Dr. Tamer Essam, and to Head of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement General Bahaa Zidan. We further wish to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Ayman Kamel, Egypt’s Ambassador to Japan, as well as Dr. Hani Salim, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia. Our valued colleagues at the Ministry of Health cleared this molecule’s path to manufacture in record time and facilitated our path through any obstacles to rapid approval and production at Egyptian facilities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the doctors, healthcare professionals and pharmacists on the front lines of this pandemic and with those who are suffering from the disease.”
Rameda’s entire production of Favipiravir is being produced under the trade name Anviziram, with capacity focused on the Egyptian market. The company aims to export Anviziram to neighbouring countries upon receipt of approval from the Ministry of Health and the Egyptian Drug Authority.
In addition to Anviziram, Rameda has been granted Egyptian Drug Aurhotity’s approval for the manufacture of intravenous Remedisvir, a broad-spectrum antiviral medication which has been used in treatment of covid-19 patients. The company aims to commence production of Remdesivir over the coming period.