Dr. Reddy has partnered with some of the top pharmaceutical companies of India for the fight against COVID-19. They will work jointly to fund, manage and monitor the clinical trial of an investigational anti-viral, molnupiravir therapy for mild COVID-19, as announced on 29 June, 2021.

These pharmaceuticals had independently enrolled into a non-exclusive voluntary licensing contract earlier this year with Merck Sharpe Dohme for the production and supply of this oral anti-viral drug to the Indian market and about more than 100 low and middle-income countries.

While Dr. Reddy’s will be responsible for the management of the trial, the remaining 4 companies will be entailed to exhibit similarity of their drug to the drug used by Dr. Reddy’s in the clinical trial, mentioned the directive of the Subject Expert Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (SEC-CDSCO).

After the Drugs Controller General of India approval, the clinical trial is anticipated to take place between June-September 2021 comprising of a total of 1,200 patients in an outpatient setting. All the 5 companies will autonomously contact the regulatory authorities for authorization to manufacture and supply this anti-viral drug for the treatment of COVID-19 in India following the trial completion.