Photo: CNBG

Sinopharm is working on the development of two drugs that specifically treat COVID-19 pneumonia, the Chinese pharmaceutical giant told media on Saturday.

The drugs are effective mainly on patients with mild or moderate symptoms, based on the data from previous emergency use of the drugs and the requirement of current clinical protocols, said Zhang Yuntao, a vice president and chief scientist of Sinopharm's subsidiary China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

The two drugs, being developed based on human immunoglobulin and monoclonal antibody relatively, are used "to neutralize the virus and to reduce the viral load in the human body," the China Central Television quoted Zhang as saying on Saturday evening.

Earlier this month, Sinopharm said during the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services that its world's first COVID-19 medicine based on human immunoglobulin developed from plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients will enter clinical trials.

CNBG previously said it has followed strict screening processes for the donated plasma.