Hetero Announces Licensing Agreement with Gilead Sciences to Manufacture and Supply Remdesivir for COVID-19 Treatment in 127 Countries

Hyderabad, India, May 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hetero, a leading Indian generic pharmaceutical company and the world’s largest producer of antiretroviral drugs, announced today that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to manufacture and distribute remdesivir for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Under this licensing agreement, Hetero will supply remdesivir in 127 countries, including India, following regulatory approvals in each respective country.

Dr. B. Partha Saradhi Reddy, Chairman of Hetero Group of CompaniesThe statement read: “Hetero is pleased to collaborate with Gilead Sciences to ensure that India and other developing countries can access the critical drug remdesivir at this pivotal moment. This agreement further underscores the importance of global cooperation and the urgent need for united action against this health crisis affecting humanity. Hetero has already developed the product in India and has been working closely with the Indian government, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct the necessary studies and obtain the required approvals for using remdesivir in the treatment of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in India.”

Remdesivir will be manufactured at our formulation facility in Hyderabad, India, which has already received approvals from stringent global regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union. Hetero has developed a fully vertically integrated supply chain for remdesivir, adding new momentum to the “Make in India” initiative as defined by the Indian Prime Minister.