Drug firm Jubilant Life Sciences has launched JUBI-R the generic version of antiviral drug remdesivir in India for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The injectable drug is priced at Rs 4,700 per vial of 100 mg.
The company will make the drug available to over 1,000 hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment, Jubilant Life Sciences said in a statement.
In order to increase accessibility of ‘JUBI-R’ to patients below the poverty line and to front line paramedical staff, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation of Jubilant Group, is launching unique programs in India aimed at distribution of the drug.
“We have launched the product at affordable prices and strive to make it available in sufficient quantities to meet high demand for the drug in the Indian market and in other countries,” Jubilant Pharma Chairman and MD Shyam S Bhartia and Co-Chairman Hari S Bhartia said in the statement.
“It gives us immense satisfaction to launch ‘JUBI-R’ as this drug has a potential to save precious lives across the globe. We have launched the product at affordable prices and strive to make it available in sufficient quantities to meet high demand for the drug in the Indian market and in other countries,” stated Mr. Shyam S. Bhartia, Chairman & Managing
Director and Mr. Hari S. Bhartia, Co-Chairman, Jubilant Pharma Limited. “The Company’s ability to launch this product in such short timelines highlights our R&D and manufacturing capabilities and our continued commitment to provide leading healthcare solutions.
Through the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, we will distribute the drug on compassionate basis to save precious lives of people through unique programs.”
In May 2020, Jubilant entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc that granted it the right to register, manufacture and sell the US-based firm’s investigational drug remdesivir in 127 countries, including India, the statement said.
On July 20, 2020, the company received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market remdesivir for 100 mg/vial (lyophilized injection) for restricted emergency use in India for the treatment of severe COVID-19, it added.
