India’s Cadila Healthcare Ltd has requested local regulators for approval to use a Hepatitis C drug as a treatment for COVID-19 after interim results from a late-stage trial appeared promising, stated the drugmaker.

A single dose of the drug, Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b, taken early in COVID-19 patients was associated with faster recovery and could avoid complications that are observed in the advanced stages of the disease, stated the company. Additionally, the company said that Phase-III clinical trial data suggest that nearly 91% of the patients given the drug tested negative for COVID-19 by day seven, compared to around 79% of the patients receiving the standard of care… (Reuters, April 5, 2021)