The UK backs the world's first COVID-19 human challenge studies to accelerate research – though the first results will not be ready until mid-2021.

As the clock ticks down to the US election day on 3 November, President Trump maintains that the first COVID-19 vaccine emergency use approval is imminent. Meanwhile, Fujifilm Toyama's Avigan is near to Japanese approval.

Fujifilm Toyama’s favipiravir may be relatively late on the Indian market,but local partner Dr Reddy’s believes that the large amount of safety data and superior shelf life of the product will hold it in good stead amid heightened competition. Local manufacturing could also help Dr Reddy’s pare the price differential with other versions.

A new cheaper version of antiviral remdesivir has been launched locally by a Indian licensee, while Chinese vaccine developers push forward with broader trials of their candidates.