China has approved a brand-new, homegrown flu drug called Onradivir. This medicine is the first of its kind and marks a powerful new weapon in the world’s battle against influenza.
Approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration, the drug is designed to treat adult patients suffering from uncomplicated influenza A. In their official announcement, the regulator stated: The approval of this medication provides patients with a new treatment option.
What makes Onradivir different?
It’s the world’s first anti-flu drug to target the PB2 protein, a vital component of the virus’s RNA polymerase, something no previous medication has done. According to developers, Onradivir delivers rapid, potent and low-resistance efficacy, and represents a true Chinese solution to tackling global influenza epidemics.
The drug is the result of a joint effort by Raynovent (based in Guangzhou, Guangdong province), The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, and leading institutions specializing in respiratory diseases.
Flu is no small issue globally. Each year, it leads to around 1 billion infections, out of which 3 to 5 million are considered severe. Tragically, it causes 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually.
With Onradivir now approved, China takes a giant step forward in offering a new era of antiviral treatment and possibly changing the way the world fights the flu.
