Japan offers experimental anti-flu drug [called Avigan but generic name is Favipiravir) to World Health Organisation for Ebola treatment

Japan has said that it’s ready to provide a Japanese-developed anti-influenza drug to treat the deadly Ebola Virus. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news agency:

‘Our country is prepared to provide the yet-to-be approved drug in cooperation with the manufacturer if the WHO requests’.

The drug is called Avigan and has been developed by Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp subsidiary Toyama Chemical. The generic name of the drug is favipiravir. The company is also in talks with the USFDA to expand the use of the drug for treatment of Ebola. Until now, the only known drug that’s been used has been the ZMapp.

Nigeria's Health ministry had last week Thursday August 21st announced that it had requested for another type of Anti-Ebola viral drugs but its not certain if it was Favipiravir.

ZMapp is a combination of antibodies

ZMapp is actually a mixture of antibodies that are designed to target and inactivate the Ebola virus. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDS), the drug is combination of three different antibodies produced by exposing mice to fragments of the virus. The generated antibodies were then extracted to make the drug.

ZMapp mimics natural immune response

Natural antibodies produced in the body confer direct protection against the pathogen by attacking them directly. Similarly, these lab designed antibodies also attack the virus but in a specific way. The antibodies are designed such that they bind to a specific part of the virus and mimic the natural response of your immune system. They also develop active immunisation.

ZMapp is effective in primates, studies in humans yet to be done

In a documented study, this combination of antibodies was found to effectively treat 43% of animals challenged with the Ebola virus. Soon after the Ebola outbreak killed several West African citizens in afflicted areas of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia, ZMapp was used for the treatment of two Americans diagnosed with the infection. The drug showed promising results and both the patients seemed to be improving after taking them. However, the drug was used on an experimental basis. It is yet to be proven safe and effective through clinical trials.