Japanese trading and pharmaceutical company Kowa Co Ltd said on Monday anti-parasite drug ivermectin has been found effective for treating the omicron variant of COVID-19 in a Phase III trial.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
The trial found ivermectin has “an antiviral effect” against the variant, Kowa said without providing further details. The firm has been working with Kitasato University, a medical university in Tokyo.
Clinical trials evaluating the drug, which is used to treat parasites in animals and humans, are ongoing but promotion of the drug as a COVID-19 treatment has generated controversy.
The drug is not approved for treatment of COVID-19 in Japan and the US Federal Drug Administration has repeatedly warned against its use.
Read more:
Russia sees over 100,000 daily COVID-19 cases for first time
Canada truckers head for Ottawa to protest vaccine mandate
COVID-19 cases plateauing in parts of India but omicron still surges
