Mumbai, February 15th, 2024: Cipla Limited announced today that the company has entered into a collaborative research agreement with CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, to jointly develop a novel ophthalmic formulation for fungal keratitis. The collaboration aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of both organizations to develop a safe and efficacious drug for fungal keratitis.
Globally, approximately 1.2 million cases of fungal keratitis are reported every year with tropical countries recording a higher incidence. Fungal keratitis often occurs following ocular trauma and exposure to fungal pathogens from organic matter, thus putting agricultural workers at greater risk.
CSIR-CDRI has developed a prototype formulation for an antifungal drug to optimize its delivery in the eye. In preclinical studies, this formulation supports faster resolution of the infection. Cipla will scale up the product, conduct the required studies and seek regulatory approvals for commercialization, ensuring accessibility for those in need.
Commenting on this association Mr. Umang Vohra, Managing Director, and Global CEO, Cipla, said, “At Cipla, our growth is centered on our commitment to patients, extending care to communities through patient-centric innovation. This collaboration with CSIR-CDRI is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and top-quality healthcare solutions to all those in need, encompassing drugs, devices, and diagnostics. With this, we are sustaining our antimicrobial resistance stewardship by investing in anti-infectives and leading industry voice in the fight against AMR.”
Welcoming this partnership, Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director CSIR-CDRI said, “Our research focuses on finding innovative, cost-effective solutions for India’s unmet clinical needs. CDRI scientists have developed a unique ophthalmic formulation of the antifungal drug. This in turn, is expected to accelerate cure and lead to better outcomes. Our collaboration with Cipla will enable the translation of the research into a drug product, with the potential to reduce the burden of disease.”
This research and development endeavor unites both Cipla and CSIR-CDRI in their commitment to affordable healthcare. The two partners have an ongoing collaboration for the development of Levormeloxifene for contraception.
About Cipla
Established in 1935, Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company focused on agile and sustainable growth, complex generics, and deepening portfolio in our home markets of India, South Africa, North America, and key regulated and emerging markets. Our strengths in the respiratory, anti-retroviral, urology, cardiology, anti-infective and CNS segments are well-known. Our 47 manufacturing sites around the world produce 50+ dosage forms and 1,500+ products using cutting-edge technology platforms to cater to our 86 markets. Cipla is the 3rd largest in pharma in India (IQVIA MAT Nov’23), 3rd largest in the pharma private market in South Africa (IQVIA MAT Nov’23), and is among the most dispensed generic players in the U.S. For over eight decades, making a difference to patients has inspired every aspect of Cipla’s work. Our paradigm-changing offer of a triple anti-retroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS at less than a dollar a day in Africa in 2001 is widely acknowledged as having contributed to bringing inclusiveness, accessibility, and affordability to the centre of the HIV movement. A responsible corporate citizen, Cipla’s humanitarian approach to healthcare in pursuit of its purpose of ‘Caring for Life’ and deep-rooted community links wherever it is present make it a partner of choice to global health bodies, peers, and all stakeholders.
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