Alkem launches Favipiravir for COVID-19 treatment under brand Alfluenza

Alkem Laboratories Limited, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company announced the launch of Favipiravir under the brand name of ‘Alfluenza’ on Wednesday.

Reacting to this news, the share of Alkem Laboratories traded nearly 2 per cent higher during Thursday’s early session.

As the COVID-19 cases continue to mount globally, India is significantly affected with around 50,000 new cases being added on a daily basis. Alkem Laboratories launched Alfluenza in India for the management of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Favipiravir is approved by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the restricted emergency use in India.

Glenmark Pharma was the first pharmaceutical company to launch Favipiravir under the brand name of ‘FabiFlu’ at Rs 105 which was later cut down to Rs 75. After Glenmark, companies like Cipla, Lupin and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries also launched their own version of Favipiravir tablets. Lupin’s ‘Covihalt’ is priced at Rs 49 per tablet, while Sun Pharma’s ‘FluGuard’ is priced as low as Rs 35 per tablet, so far the cheapest in India.

At around 10.42 am on Thursday, the share of Alkem Laboratories was trading at Rs 2,883 with gains of 1.44 per cent. On August 4, it touched a new 52-week high value of Rs 2,975.65 while its 52-week low is Rs 1,682.1 on BSE.