As the search for a cure to the deadly Ebola Virus continues, Japan has revealed its intention to give countries devastated by the virus an untested drug it believes as the potentials of killing the virus.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga at a news conference said, “Our country is prepared to provide the yet-to-be approved drug in cooperation with the manufacturer if the WHO requests.”
The Asian country says it has received inquiries from some countries on the influenza drug favipiravir, or T-705 as it is known in the developmental code.
“I am informed that medical professionals could make a request for T-705 in an emergency even before a decision (on approval) by the WHO. In that case, we would like to respond under certain criteria,” he said.
Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp and U.S. partner MediVector are in talks with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to submit an application to expand the use of favipiravir as a treatment for Ebola.
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa has killed more than 1,000 people and prompted the WHO to declare an international health emergency, reports Reuters.