This smallcap firm zooms 5% on launch of Covid drug Favipiravir

Shares of Bal Pharma hit the upper circuit on Tuesday after the company announced the launch of Favipiravir formulation into the Indian market, under the brand name BALflu. Favipiravir is an emerging antiviral drug used for patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 infection. This formulation is available in tablets form with 400 mg strength.

The scrip climbed 4.96% to Rs 98.40 in the early trade, while the benchmark BSE Sensex was up 0.51% at 50,910.

Favipiravir inhibits and terminates viral protein synthesis and induces lethal metagenesis of influenza virus. BALflu (Favipiravir) is a broad-spectrum formulation also used in the treatment of 53 types of Influenza virus including seasonal strains such as Ebola virus, arenavirus, bunyavirus, flovirus, west nile virus , food and mouth disease virus and lassa virus.

BALflu (Favipiravir) is approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use for the treatment of Covid-19 with a recommended dosage of 1800 mg on the first day followed by 800 mg from day 2 to 14.

Shailesh Siroya, managing director, Bal Pharma said, “BALflu has the efficacy to clear the virus faster by 28.7% and is marketed at a very affordable price of Rs 85 per tablet, so as to enable the needy patients to access this drug on time.”