Sun Pharma commences Phase-2 trials on potential COVID-19 drug

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries informed the bourses of its commencement of Phase-2 clinical trials on AQCH, a phytopharmaceutical drug for treating COVID-19. Earlier, in April 2020, it had been granted approval for the same by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The trial is set to be conducted across 12 centres in the country, on 210 patients over a ten-day period, the results of which are expected by October 2020.

AQCH is the first phytopharmaceutical drug approved for clinical trial for COVID-19 by DCGI. The drug being developed for dengue has shown broad antiviral effect in vitro studies and is therefore, being tested as a potential treatment option for COVID-19. The human safety study of AQCH has been concluded already and the drug has been declared to be safe at the recommended dose for Phase II study.

Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, while speaking on the development said that AQCH has shown anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects in in-vitro studies conducted in collaboration with ICGEB, Italy. These results combined with information on mechanism of action through in-vitro and small animal studies give us the confidence to evaluate this potential treatment option for COVID-19 patients.

The company's stock was trading at Rs 505.70, up by 2.16 per cent or Rs 10.70 per share, at 12.30 pm on Friday. The 52-week high is recorded at Rs 510.55 and the 52-week low is Rs 315.20 on BSE.