The collaboration will primarily focus on umifenovir, remdesivir and a key intermediate of hydroxychloroquine
The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is collaborating with LAXAI LifeSciences to jointly develop and manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates to reduce the dependency of Indian pharma sector on Chinese imports. “IICT is working with LAXAI for the synthesis of drugs being used in the fight against the coronavirus. The collaboration will primarily focus on Umifenovir, Remdesivir and a key intermediate of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ),” an official release said.
India, one of the largest producers of anti-malarial drug HCQ, has seen a spurt in demand in the recent weeks and exported the medicine to over 50 countries, including the USA during the last few days. The collaboration will result in a cost-effective process with minimal dependency on China for key raw materials. In addition, Remdesivir, which has been previously administered to Ebola virus patients, is currently under clinical trials to evaluate efficacy and safety against COVID-19, informed IICT.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has exposed the disproportionate reliance of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry, the third-largest in the world by the volume of drugs produced, on the Chinese raw materials, the release said.
With the delayed delivery and increased pricing pressure of these raw materials, the Indian pharma sector is staring at supply shortages, it said. Realising that drug security and undisrupted access to essential medicines is critical for public health, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a special package for promotion of bulk drug manufacturing in India and reduction of our dependence on China. The collaboration will use the know-how for commercial manufacturing of the products.
LAXAI Life Sciences shall be one of the first few to commercialise these products. The manufacturing of these APIs and intermediates will be taken up at USFDA/GMP approved plants held by LAXAI through its subsidiary, Therapiva, informed the release.
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