A Japanese conglomerate has found that the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin is effective and safe for the treatment of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, according to a phase III clinical trial. Kowa Co. Ltd., a conglomerate with interests in trading, hospitality, electronics, along with health and medical applications, issued a press release (pdf) on Jan. 31 stating that ivermectin has been found to be effective against Omicron. Kowa representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times. The company, working with Kitasato University based in Tokyo, said that ivermectin has the “same antiviral effect” on all “mutant strains” including alpha, delta, and Omicron. Kowa added that ivermectin suppresses invasion of the virus and inhibits its replication. “[Ivermectin] is expected to be applied as a therapeutic drug (tablet) for all new coronavirus infectious diseases,” said the report. Ivermectin has been used by the World Health Organization for over …