Global collaboration helps to fight Covid-19

Hetero, one of India’s leading generic pharmaceutical companies and the world’s largest producer of anti-retroviral drugs, has entered into a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (US) for the manufacturing and distribution of “Remdesivir” for the treatment of Covid-19.

Under this licensing deal, Hetero will be supplying Remdesivir in 127 countries, including India, subject to regulatory approvals in respective countries.The countries consist of nearly all low-income and lower-middle income countries, as well as several upper-middle- and high-income countries that face significant obstacles to healthcare access.

Hetero and four other companies in India and Pakistan have been granted these licensing agreements. They have a right to receive a technology transfer of the Gilead manufacturing process for remdesivir to enable them to scale up production more quickly. The licensees also set their own prices for the generic product they produce. The licenses are royalty-free until the World Health Organization declares the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding COVID-19, or until a pharmaceutical product other than remdesivir or a vaccine is approved to treat or prevent COVID-19, whichever is earlier.

                Dr Reddy , Chairman Hetero Group of Companies

“Hetero is pleased to partner with Gilead to enable access for this important drug to India and other developing countries at this crucial time,” said Dr. B. Partha Saradhi Reddy, Chairman, Hetero Group of Companies.” This agreement also illustrates the significance of global collaboration and the need for coming together to fight the health crises impacting humanity. Hetero has developed this product in India and has already been working with the government, ICMR, and DCGI for necessary studies and approvals to bring this product to treat COVID-19 patients in India.”

Remdesivir will be manufactured in Hetero’s formulation facility in Hyderabad, India, which has been approved by stringent global regulatory authorities -USFDA and EU, among others. Hetero has developed the fully vertically integrated supply chain for this product complementing the “Make in India” campaign as defined by India’s Prime Minister Modi.

         Hetero facility, Hyderabad

Source: Hetero Ltd/ Gilead Sciences Inc.