Indian drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd started phase two clinical trial on AQCH, a phytopharmaceutical plant-derived drug for the treatment of COVID-19. The company got approval from Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for conducting phase two clinical trial in April. Results of the trial are expected by October 2020.
AQCH is derived from tropical, climbing shrub Cocculus hirsutus used in Asia for its apparent medicinal properties. The trial will be conducted across 12 centers in India in 210 patients. The treatment duration for patients will be 10 days. Human safety study of AQCH has already been completed and the drug found to be safe at the recommended dose for phase two study.
Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director, Sun Pharma, stated that AQCH, is being originally developed for dengue but because of its broad antiviral effect in in-vitro studies in collaboration with ICGEB, Italy, it is being tested as a potential treatment option for COVID-19. This is the first phytopharmaceutical drug approved for clinical trials by the DCGI as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The drugmaker has also received DCGI approval to start clinical trials of pancreatitis drug Nafamostat mesylate in coronavirus patients.
