For Merck's COVID-19 Antiviral Pill, A Big Indian Component
NDTV
India's Everest Organics Ltd has started making the active pharmaceutical ingredient for a generic version of Merck & Co's experimental antiviral drug molnupiravir to treat mild to moderate COVID-19.
India's Everest Organics Ltd said on Tuesday it had started making the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for a generic version of Merck & Co's experimental antiviral drug molnupiravir to treat mild to moderate COVID-19.
Shares of Everest Organics jumped as much as 11.6 per cent after the news came in, and were last up 9.9 per cent at Rs 330 in a weak Mumbai market. The Indian bulk drugs manufacturer joins Divi's Laboratories Ltd as an API maker for Merck's experimental oral drug.
Merck has separately entered into voluntary licensing agreements with at least eight Indian generic drugmakers for molnupiravir, with an aim to turn the country into a manufacturing hub for the drug.
"After the successful development and commercialisation of various COVID-19 drugs such as Oseltamivir, Remdesivir...Everest Organics is on its path of expansion of this portfolio," Chief Executive Officer Srikakarlapudi Sirisha said in a statement.
