Dhaka: Bangladesh‘s beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. will begin sales of a generic version of Merck & Co.’s antiviral Gun Shot For COVID-19 After local regulatory approval, it said on Tuesday.
The announcement marks the launch of the world’s first generic version of Merck & Ridgeback Biotherapeutics tablet, molnupiravir, which has been touted as a potential game-changer in the fight against coronavirus.
Molnupiravir receives its first regulatory approval globally UK Last week. It is still under review in the United States and Europe.
Beximco will soon start selling generic molnupiravir, a cheaper version of Merck’s branded pill, in Bangladesh after it received emergency use authorization for the treatment from the country’s Directorate General of Drug Administration, a statement said. Exports will be subject to regulatory approvals at the global level.
Merck did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The US drugmaker has entered into licensing agreements with at least eight Indian drugmakers for Molnupiravir, aimed at turning the South Asian nation into a manufacturing hub for supply to low- and middle-income countries.
These include Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Emcure Pharmaceuticals and Hetero.
Beximco said it does not expect sales of generic molnupiravir to increase revenue significantly, given the currently low Covid-19 infection rate in Bangladesh, which is India’s neighboring country.
Its London-listed shares were up 6.2% at 107.25 pence by 0.825 GMT.
The announcement marks the launch of the world’s first generic version of Merck & Ridgeback Biotherapeutics tablet, molnupiravir, which has been touted as a potential game-changer in the fight against coronavirus.
Molnupiravir receives its first regulatory approval globally UK Last week. It is still under review in the United States and Europe.
Beximco will soon start selling generic molnupiravir, a cheaper version of Merck’s branded pill, in Bangladesh after it received emergency use authorization for the treatment from the country’s Directorate General of Drug Administration, a statement said. Exports will be subject to regulatory approvals at the global level.
Merck did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The US drugmaker has entered into licensing agreements with at least eight Indian drugmakers for Molnupiravir, aimed at turning the South Asian nation into a manufacturing hub for supply to low- and middle-income countries.
These include Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Emcure Pharmaceuticals and Hetero.
Beximco said it does not expect sales of generic molnupiravir to increase revenue significantly, given the currently low Covid-19 infection rate in Bangladesh, which is India’s neighboring country.
Its London-listed shares were up 6.2% at 107.25 pence by 0.825 GMT.
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