Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan today said that Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's constituent lab Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow has received permission for carrying out Phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of efficacy, safety and tolerability of antiviral drug Umifenovir.<br />'' <br />''He said, the Phase III clinical trials will be carried out at King George's Medical University, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences and ERA's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital in Lucknow.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Minister said, this drug has a good safety profile and acts by preventing entry of the virus into human cells and also by priming the immune system. He said, Umifenovir is mainly used for the treatment of influenza and has recently come into prominence due to its potential use for COVID-19 patients.</span><br />