Japan Approves Use of COVID-19 Treatment by Ildong Pharmaceutical and Shionogi Pharmaceutical

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The oral COVID-19 treatment 'Zokova,' jointly developed by Ildong Pharmaceutical and Japan's Shionogi Pharmaceutical, has received approval for use from the Japanese government.

According to local media on the 22nd, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced the emergency approval of Zokova's use. On the same day, an expert meeting of the Ministry recognized Zokova's effectiveness in improving COVID-19 symptoms such as fever. The expert meeting evaluated that "efficacy is presumed."

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare received the application for Zokova's use approval last February and began review from June to July but had not yet determined its efficacy. In response, Shionogi Pharmaceutical submitted new final-stage clinical trial results. Shionogi Pharmaceutical claimed to have conducted Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials involving a total of 1,821 COVID-19 patients in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other countries, confirming Zokova's excellent antiviral effects.

After the approval, the Ministry has already signed a contract to purchase Zokova doses for 1 million people from Shionogi Pharmaceutical. With the emergency use approval granted, Zokova is expected to be supplied to medical institutions in Japan going forward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.