Five Indian generic drugmakers, including Cipla and Dr Reddy's Laboratories, will jointly conduct a clinical trial in India for Merck & Co's experimental anti-viral drug to treat mild COVID-19 cases.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Emcure Pharmaceuticals are the other three companies which have partnered with Merck to expand production of the drug, molnupiravir so that it can be introduced in India at an earliest possible time.
On Tuesday, the Indian companies said they would jointly sponsor, supervise and monitor the clinical trial in the country between June and September this year in 1,200 patients.
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The trial will be conducted following the approval of its protocol by the Drugs Controller General of India and the companies will then independently approach regulatory authorities for approval to manufacture and supply molnupiravir in India after completion of the trial.
Molnupiravir is currently being tested in a global late-stage study by Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics for the treatment of non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with the data from the study expected in September 2021.
