Natco Pharma signs licensing deal with Lilly for Covid drug Baricitinib

Natco Pharma has signed a royalty-free, non-exclusive, voluntary licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) for manufacturing and commercializing Baricitinib for the treatment of Covid-19 in India.

With the licensing agreement signed, Natco has withdrawn the application it had filed with the Indian Patent Office, under which had sought compulsory license against Lilly for the Covid-19 drug in the country.

Earlier, NATCO was granted an emergency use authorization from Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (COSCO) for Baricitinib tablets to be administered in combination with remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed Covid-19 in adults, who are hospitalized and need supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane.