By TIOL News Service

MUMBAI, MAY 10, 2021: ELI Lilly on Monday signed licensing agreements with generic drugmakers Sun Pharma, Cipla and Lupin to expand the manufacturing and availability of its rheumatoid arthritis drug Baricitinib used for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Baricitinib has received restricted emergency use approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for use in combination with Remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalised adult COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

Cipla, Sun Pharma and Lupin signed a "royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement" with the US-based pharma major.

Last week, Lilly said it would donate 4 lakh baricitinib tablets to the Indian government.

Separately, Vivimed Labs on Monday said they received approval from the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) to manufacture and market Favipiravir tablets in the strength of 200 mg and 400 mg, under their brand name 'Favulous.'

Favipiravir is one of the leading oral anti-viral treatment approved in various countries for the potential treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease.

"We are launching Favulous at a competitive price to make the drug accessible to more and more patients thereby ensuring good health and reducing their financial burden. This is in line with Vivimed's commitment to be at forefront in India's fight against COVID-19," said CEO Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy.

The company said it will work closely with the various governments and medical community to ensure availability of Favulous to patients across the country.