Hyderabad : Dr Reddy's Laboratories is set to expand its generic drug portfolio with lenacapavir injections, a drug used to prevent the spread of HIV. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has allowed the Hyderabad-based company to manufacture and market the generic injections in India without conducting phase-III clinical trials.
The approval has also been granted to Emcure Pharmaceuticals. Market sources estimate that the move could bring down the price of the injections by 50% to 70% from the current price of up to ₹3,500 a dose.
Gilead holds patent for HIV drug
Gilead Sciences holds the patent for lenacapavir, which is used to prevent the spread of HIV. The company has allowed Dr Reddy's, Hetero Pharma and several other companies to manufacture and market the drug in India and 120 low-income countries without paying royalties.
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These companies are now preparing to manufacture and market generic lenacapavir injections. People living with HIV will need to take the injections twice a year, according to the report.
Gilead sells the same injection in the US and European Union under the Sunlenca and Yeztugo brands for $28,000 to $42,000, equivalent to about ₹27 lakh to ₹40 lakh.
Aurigene gets long-term manufacturing contract
Aurigene Pharma, a subsidiary of Dr Reddy's Laboratories, has received a long-term contract from an international company to manufacture and supply sterile injectables and biologics on a contract basis.
Dr Reddy's said it could not disclose the name of the company because of the terms of the contract.
The supply will initially cover 20 products, with more medicines to be added later, the company said. Revenue from the contract is expected to start flowing from the next financial year.