Zydus Cadila launches India's cheapest remdesivir version at $37 per vial

Syngene International

13/08/2020 05:14

BENGALURU, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Zydus Cadila  CADI.NS  on
Thursday launched the cheapest generic version of Gilead
Sciences' antiviral drug remdesivir in India to treat COVID-19
following reports of shortages at hospitals in the world's
third-worst hit nation. 
    Zydus has priced it at 2,800 rupees ($37.44) per 100mg vial.
It will be sold under the brand name Remdac to government and
private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, the company said
in a regulatory filing https://reut.rs/3gTivT4.
    Officials in some Indian states had a few weeks ago
complained of supply issues, but a top executive at drugmaker
Cipla Ltd  CIPL.NS  had earlier this week said the supplies were
stabilising.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2FD2VT
    Zydus is the fifth company to launch a copy of the antiviral
in India after privately held Hetero Labs Ltd, Cipla, Mylan NV
 MYL.O  and Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd  JULS.NS .
    Gilead  GILD.O  has also entered into licensing agreements
with Dr.Reddy's Laboratories Ltd  REDY.NS  and Syngene
International Ltd  SYNN.NS  to make remdesivir for distribution
in 127 countries, including India.
    India has reported a daily jump of more than 50,000
coronavirus infections for two weeks, with total cases as of
Wednesday at 2.33 million. 
    
($1 = 74.7900 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Anuron Kumar Mitra in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun
Koyyur)
 ((AnuronKumar.Mitra@thomsonreuters.com; +91 99863 58469;))