Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Lilly sign deal for Covid-19 drug baricitinib

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories said that it has forged a royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with US pharma giant Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) for the manufacturing and commercialization of Covid-19 drug baricitinib in India.

Baricitinib in combination with remdesivir had been given restricted emergency use approval by the Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). The combination can be used for the treatment of suspected or lab confirmed Covid-19 in hospitalized adults needing supplemental oxygen, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or invasive mechanical ventilation.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Lilly sign deal for Covid-19 drug baricitinib. Photo courtesy of Arichuvadi/Wikipedia.org.

According to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the partnership with Lilly comes at an important juncture in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in India. Besides, it adds to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories’ existing variety of Covid-19 therapeutics covering the full spectrum from mild to moderate and severe conditions, and also the Sputnik-V vaccine.

Deepak Sapra – CEO, API and Services, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories said: “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.”