Bajaj Healthcare moved patent office to make Covid-19 drug 'Baricitinib', blocked by Eli Lilly

Bajaj Healthcare Limited (BHL) a leading manufacturer of APIs, Intermediates and Formulations, are pleased to announce that it has moved the Indian Patent Office requesting to grant a compulsory license for manufacturing & supply of Covid-19 drug "Baricitinib" (API and Formulation). Currently, Eli Lilly and company has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the distribution and emergency use of "Baricitinib" to be used in combination with remdesivir in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients aged more than two years with suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) permits the emergency use of baricitinib, in combination with remdesivir, for treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalized adults andpaediatric patients above two years of age requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanicalventilation, or ECMO.

Update on Applications to Eli Lilly & Company:

BHL approached Eli Lilly & Company on two occasions, to sign the voluntary license for manufacturing and supply of Covid-19 Drug Baricitinib. BHL assured them, about manufacturing high-quality product at an affordable price for the Indian patient population. Eli Lilly & Company declined the applications on both the occasion, citing the reason that it is really challenging for them to sign voluntary licensing agreements with all the Indian companies who have requested for the same.

When all the attempts to get the voluntary license from the Patentee were futile, BHL moved to Indian Patent Office, requesting to grant compulsory licence for manufacture and supply of Covid-19 Drug Baricitinib, so that it can supply the essential medicine in this pandemic situation in India.

Commenting on Covid-19 Drug "Baricitinib", Mr. Anil Jain, Joint Managing Director, Bajaj Healthcare Limited said "We have moved the Indian Patent Office to grant compulsory license for manufacturing & supply of Covid Drug Baricitinib (API and formulation). Currently the drug Baricitinib is licensed to US pharma giant Eli Lilly & Company, by its originator company INCYTE, providing them the rights for marketing it across the globe.

Considering our manufacturing capabilities & strong in-house R&D team, we can produce "Baricitinib" at very competitive and affordable prices in India.

The second waves of coronavirus was more aggressive and highly contagious as compared to the first wave. India is beginning to reopen after a second wave of Covid-19 infections disrupted the economic activity of India in April and May 2021. Now the medical experts are warning of a possible new variant that could give wings to a third wave and can most likely strike in the coming few months and in the same lines we have strived hard to encounter this by developing Baricitinib drug and want the availability in abundance at an affordable price which will considerably ease the pressure and offer patients much needed and timely therapy option."

Shares of Bajaj Healthcare Ltd was last trading in BSE at Rs.704.5 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 705.65. The total number of shares traded during the day was 24028 in over 968 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 712.6 and intraday low of 702. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 16978581.

Source : Equity Bulls

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