Dr Reddys partners with Fujifilm, GRA for a potential COVID drug

Under the tripartite agreement, Fujifilm grants Dr Reddy's the exclusive rights of manufacturing.

Pharma major Dr Reddy's Laboratories partnered with Toyko based Fujifilm Corporation, through Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, and Dubai based Global Response Aid (GRA) for the development, manufacture, and sales of Avigan tablets, potential treatment for COVID-19.

Under the tripartite agreement, Fujifilm grants Dr Reddy's the exclusive rights of manufacturing. The Japanese player has also granted Dr Reddy's and GRA the rights to develop, sell and distribute Avigan in all countries other than Japan, China and Russia, the Hyderabad based drug maker said. Further, Fujifilm would receive an upfront undisclosed license fee and royalties on sales from Dr Reddy's and GRA.

The pact also gives Dr Reddy's exclusive rights for the development, sale, and distribution of Avigan in India. As part of the pact, Fujifilm will also provide Dr Reddy's and GRA data on Avigan's preclinical and clinical studies, which both the players can use for clinical studies targeting COVID-19 in regions where the infection has been spreading.

Dr Reddy's said it will be establishing a setup for manufacturing drugs of the same quality as Avigan and will utilise GRA's global sales network to supply the manufactured drugs swiftly and in a stable manner.