Local manufacture of Remdesivir to boost Pakistan’s pharma sector, Dawood 

• Dawood said that the export of the drug to the developing world at this time of need will also position Pakistan to play its role on the global stage of public health.

The manufacturing of Remdesivir drug in Pakistan provides an important export opportunity for the country's pharmaceutical sector said Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood on Friday.

Dawood said that the export of the drug to the developing world at this time of need will also position Pakistan to play its role on the global stage of public health.

The statement comes after Pakistani pharmaceutical company Ferozsons Laboratories reached an agreement with Gilead Science Inc for the manufacture and sale of Remdesivir in the country.

“BF Biosciences Limited (BFBL) a subsidiary of Ferozsons Laboratories Limited has successfully concluded its non-exclusive license agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. for the manufacture and sale of Remdesivir under Gilead’s Global Patient Solutions Program serving the developing world,” state Ferozsons in its filing to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

Gilead has signed nonexclusive voluntary licenses agreements with five South Asian manufacturers - Hetero, Jubilant Lifesciences, Cipla, Mylan and BFBL - to manufacture Remdesivir for distribution in 127 countries.

“Under the licensing agreements, the companies have a right to receive a technology transfer of the Gilead manufacturing process for Remdesivir to enable them to scale up production more quickly,” it added.

It may be mentioned here that Remdesivir has been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and authorities in Japan to treat hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 disease. The optimal duration of treatment is still being studied in ongoing clinical trials. Under the EUA, both 5-day and 10-day treatment durations are suggested, based on the severity of the disease.