Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Published : September 2, 2014 2:11 PM IST
U.S. experimental Ebola drug ZMapp has recently cured two American doctors infected with Ebola virus. While the drug holds a lot of potential in containing the on-going Ebola outbreak in West Africa, due to its limited supplies rest infected with the virus may not be able to benefit from the drug. Identifying the urgent need to contain the outbreak, Japan responded to the international emergency by offering its anti-influenza drug to treat the deadly Ebola virus disease with WHO's request. According to the manufacturers, they would be able to provide sufficient supplies of the drug for more than 20,000 people and they would surely respond to requests from healthcare workers under certain conditions, in case it's urgent
The drug called Avigan (generic name Favipiravir) is developed by Japan's Fujifilm Holdings Corp's subsidiary Toyama Chemicals. Here are some key facts about the drug you should know:
It was discovered in 1998: Yousuke Furuta, a Japanese scientist, who worked at Toyama Chemicals, subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Corp., discovered the drug in 1998. It was then customised to treat influenza virus.
It is an anti-viral drug: Also known be the code name T-705; favipiravir is active against several viruses including influenza virus, yellow fever virus, falvivirus and West Nile virus, Western equine encephalitis virus and noroviruses that have RNA as their genetic material. In Japan, the drug was approved as an anti-influenza drug in 2014 to stop on-going influenza pandemics.
Prevents multiplication of viral particles: The drug inhibits replication of viral genetic material by blocking the enzyme RNA polymerase that is required for multiplication of viral particles after they infect the cells. It also has an inhibitory action against different strains of influenza virus that are currently resistant to other antiviral drugs. (Here are Ebola virus signs and symptoms you need to watch out for!)
The drug shows positive results in mice: Due to its unique action of blocking viral replication and its effective mechanism of inhibiting a broad range of viruses, the drug was tested on Ebola Zaire virus, which currently doesn't have any cure or treatment available. Oestereich L and colleagues carried out a study in mice to check the effectiveness of the drug against Ebola virus. They injected mice with the Ebola virus and divided them into tow groups -- one that received Favipiravir and the other which didn't. Ten days after infection, mice that were not administered the drug died (100% fatality rate). In the other group, mice were administered the drug 6 days after infection. Within two days, their viral load dropped significantly. On the 4th day of treatment, virus had cleared in all animals (100% survival). (Read: 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection)
Another study carried out by Smither SJ and colleagues also suggested favipiravir as a potential candidate for treating Ebola virus disease. According to their results, the drug offered 100% protection against aerosol Ebola virus E718 infection. It also provided protection in immune-deficient mice after administering two daily doses of the drug for 14 days. The drug has also shown positive results in inhibiting Ebola virus replication in vitro (cell cultures).
It is already in phase III clinical trial in the U.S: UnlikeZMapp, which has not yet been tested in humans, favipiravir has already reached Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. for the treatment of flu. Although this doesn't indicate that the drug would be 100% effective against Ebola virus in humans, the clinical trial will definitely ensure the safety aspect of the drug in humans. If it clears phase III studies, it could be used safely as an experimental Ebola in humans.
Read more about Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention
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Photo source: Getty images
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