Leaders of Southeast Asian countries and Japan, China and South Korea agreed Tuesday on the urgent need to develop a treatment for the novel coronavirus that has triggered a global health crisis, while vowing efforts to ensure the stable supply of medical supplies.
In a virtual meeting with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explained clinical research being conducted on Avigan, an antiviral drug developed by a domestic firm that has been effective in treating COVID-19 patients.
Several participants expressed interest in the drug, Abe told reporters following the meeting with the leaders including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.