A multi-center randomized open comparative clinical trial of the drug Favipiravir on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 by ChemRar Group in Russia shown reduction in disease duration from 11 to 4-5 days. These are the interim results. The full study involves 330 patients in 30 leading Russian hospitals.
The interim results were announced by ChemRar Group. According to the company, 60 per cent of the 40 patients who took Favipiravir have tested negative for coronavirus after five days of treatment, which is two times higher than in the standard therapy group. The data is consistent with the results of studies conducted in China, which also showed a reduction in the disease duration from 11 days to 4-5 days.
Six leading medical centers in Moscow, Smolensk and Nizhny Novgorod are currently participating in clinical trials, including I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Central Clinical Hospital.
In all, 30 medical centers in 8 Russian regions will conduct studies on 330 patients with confirmed coronavirus infection.
The next step is to obtain a registration certificate for the possible use of Favipiravir countrywide. The ChemRar Group  is funded by the sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for these Favipiravir clinical trials .
Together with RDIF, ChemRar hopes  to start commercial deliveries of the drug by May-end. The necessary reagents are available and production facilities are ready to start commercial production.
Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy. 

At least 60% of 40 patients in the study tested negative for COVID-19 after 5 days of Favipiravir. Russian agencies hope to start commercial supply of drug by Ma-end