Merck Pharma gives voluntary licences to five Indian companies on molnupiravir
April 27, 2021
Molnupiravir is being studied in a Phase 3 trial for treatment of non-hospitalised Covid patients
MSD Pharmaceuticals has announced non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements on its investigational oral drug molnupiravir, with five Indian generic manufacturers.
The licensees are Cipla, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Hetero Labs and Sun Pharma, who have World Health Organization pre-qualified manufacturing facilities and experience as major suppliers to global and key low and middle income procurers, Merck Pharma said.
Under the agreements, Merck & Co Inc will provide licences to these manufacturers to supply molnupiravir to India and more than 100 LMICs (low- and middle-income countries). Merck & Co is also in discussions with the Medicines Patent Pool to explore the potential for additional licences, it added.
MSD to sign licensing pacts with 5 Indian drug firms for oral drug candidate for COVID-19 indiatimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from indiatimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The pharma and healthcare industry has welcomed the government s decision to increase allocation for the sector, saying the move will provide greater access to medical care in the country. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday proposed Rs 2,23,846 crore budget outlay for health and wellbeing for 2021-22, compared to Rs 94,452 crore in the current fiscal, an increase of 137 per cent. She also proposed Rs 35,000 crore outlay for COVID-19 vaccines for the next fiscal and announced the rollout of pneumococcal vaccines across the country to help save over 50,000 deaths annually. The hike of 137 per cent in budgetary outlays towards the healthcare sector is a welcome move. As the country continues to grapple with the pandemic, the outlay of Rs 35,000 crore towards vaccination will go a long way to stop the spread of COVID-19, Zydus Cadila Chairman Pankaj R Patel said in a statement.
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(BCCL/ iStock)
With clubs in the city not hosting any Christmas parties due to the pandemic scare, the celebrations this time have become cosier and personalised. Close family members and friends are making it a point to keep the festival spirit high by hosting get-togethers within the confines of their home.
Reena Peshwani, Varanasi based- businesswoman has already begun the preparations. “We have placed a huge Christmas tree at the entrance of our house which we have decorated together elaborately. Hanging stars, balls, ribbons, glittering lights have been used to decorate that corner of the house, giving a perfect feel of festivities. This is for the first time we have done such elaborate decorations. Earlier we used to go out and attend Christmas parties organised by various clubs but this time it is not happening because of the outbreak of Covid-19, so we have planned a bash with family members and few friends. A bonfire will be arranged on our terrace and we will have a da