China approves Genuine Biotech's HIV drug for COVID patients

China on Monday gave conditional approval to domestic firm Genuine Biotech's Azvudine pill to treat certain adult patients with COVID-19, adding another oral treatment option against the coronavirus. The availability of effective COVID vaccines and treatments is crucial in laying the groundwork for China's potential pivoting from its 'dynamic COVID zero' policy, which aims to eliminate every outbreak - however small - and relies on mass testing and strict quarantining.