Sun Pharma starts testing plant-based drug for Covid-19 treatment

Bengaluru: Drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said on Friday that it was testing a plant-derived drug, AQCH, for the potential treatment of COVID-19 as part of a mid-stage trial, with results expected by October. AQCH is derived from tropical, climbing shrub cocculus hirsutus, which is used in Asia for its apparent medicinal properties. The company said the trial will be conducted across 12 centers in India in 210 patients and a human safety study of the drug has been completed.

"AQCH, which is being developed for dengue, has shown broad antiviral effect in in-vitro studies and hence is being tested as a potential treatment option for COVID-19," the company said in a statement.

Drug makers around the world are rushing to develop a treatment or vaccine for the fast-spreading novel coronavirus that has killed over 3,90,000 people and ravaged financial markets.

Two other Indian companies, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Strides Pharma Science, are also conducting trials in the country for potential COVID-19 treatments.

Sun Pharma received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for the AQCH trial in April, data from the clinical trials registry of the country showed.

The drug maker has also received regulator DCGI's approval to start clinical trials of pancreatitis drug nafamostat mesilate in COVID-19 patients.