Bangladesh-based Beximco Pharmaceuticals has become the world's first company to produce a generic version of the antiviral drug Remdesivir, originally developed by US-based Gilead Sciences, it was reported on Friday.

Remdesivir was originally designed as an ebola treatment, the BBC reported.

It works by attacking an enzyme that a virus needs in order to replicate inside our cells.

Beximco's production of the generic version will ensure quick supply of the drug to many countries in South Asia.

A recent clinical trial in the US showed the drug helped shorten the recovery time for people who were seriously ill.

However, it did not significantly improve survival rates. Experts have warned that the drug should not be seen as a "magic bullet" for coronavirus.

But in the absence of any clear treatment for COVID-19, many countries are willing to try Remdesivir, said the BBC report (IANS)