Dr Reddy’s Enters Into Voluntary Licensing Agreement To Manufacture Baricitinib Used For Covid-19 Treatment

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd on Tuesday (11 May) announced that it has entered into a royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company for the manufacture and commercialization of the drug, baricitinib, in India.

The drug baricitinib has received restricted emergency use approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health, for use in combination with remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed Covid-19 in hospitalized adults requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

“This partnership comes at a critical juncture in the fight against the pandemic in India, and adds to the company’s existing range of Covid-19 therapeutics covering the full spectrum from mild to moderate and severe conditions of the disease, and a vaccine,” the company said in a statement.

"From the start, we have been determined to explore every possible avenue against COVID-19. Our collaboration with Lilly will help us make yet another treatment option available to patients in India,” said Deepak Sapra, Chief Executive Officer, API and Services, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd is an integrated pharmaceutical company, through its three businesses - Pharmaceutical Services & Active Ingredients, Global Generics and Proprietary Products - it offers a portfolio of products and services including APIs, custom pharmaceutical services, generics, biosimilars and differentiated formulations. Their major markets include the USA, India, Russia and Europe.