Own Correspondent|Anti-viral drug Favilavir has secured approval from the National Medical Products Administration of China to treat coronavirus Covid-19, according to media reports.

China Daily reported that the Taizhou government in Zhejiang province announced the approval, which marks the authorisation of the first drug against the new coronavirus.

Formerly Fapilavir, the drug was developed by Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical.

Fapilavir allegedly demonstrated efficacy with minor side effects in an ongoing 70-patient clinical trial in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The drug’s generic version received the approval.

Production of the anti-viral drug was begun on Sunday, added the news agency.