Synopsis :
- Natco Pharma Limited and Biophore India Pharmaceuticals have received the license from the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), Switzerland, to manufacture and market molnupiravir, a drug that is indicated in several countries in the Covid-19 treatment protocol.
- The MPP has got the mandate from the US-based pharma major, Merck, for licensing the manufacturing and marketing rights to pharma countries in different markets.
Biophore India Pharmaceuticals on Thursday said it has received licences from Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) on behalf of originator company MSD to manufacture and market molnupiravir for treatment of COVID-19 and will launch in India next week priced at Rs 1,500 for a pack of 40 capsules.
The licences are applicable for both active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished product in capsules form. It enables the company to launch the product within India as well as export to 104 other countries around the world, Biophore India Pharmaceuticals said in a statement.
The development of the product is complete and is gearing up for launch based on this license within the next one week, it added.
Biophore India Pharmaceuticals have received the license from the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), Switzerland, to manufacture and market molnupiravir, a drug that is indicated in several countries in the Covid-19 treatment protocol.
“We are committed to bring molnupiravir to the market in the shortest time possible complying to all quality and regulatory requirements – all our products are manufactured in USFDA approved facilities,” Biophore CEO Jagadeesh Babu Rangisetty said.
In December last year, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had allowed anti-COVID-19 pill Molnupiravir for emergency use in the country. However, ICMR’s National Task Force for COVID-19 had last week decided against including the antiviral drug in the Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19 citing safety concerns. PTI RKL MKJ
“With this license agreement, we can manufacture and sell molnupiravir capsules 200 mg in the Indian market. We will sell it under the brand name Molnunat for treatment of Covid-19 infection with SpO2 of more than 93 per cent and who have high risk of progression of the disease including hospitalisation or death,” a Natco statement has said.
For the Indian market, the company has informed that it has already received the relevant regulatory approvals from DCGI and will be launching the product next week at ₹1,500 for a pack of 40 capsules.
Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral approved through the emergency use authorisation route by the US Food and Drug Administration and UK authorities for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19.
About Biophore
Biophore, an established pharmaceutical company, is engaged in the development and manufacturing of niche pharmaceutical products for the generic industry. Within a decade since inception in 2007, Biophore has emerged as a trusted partner in the generic industry across US, Europe and other regulated markets.
Biophore is dedicated to consistently deliver complex & niche pharmaceutical products that exceed customer expectations and provide a rewarding work environment.