Pakistani pharma in negotiation with Gilead to manufacture COVID-19 drug

• BFBL was negotiating for a non-exclusive license agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and sell Remdesivir to supply in Pakistan and 126 other countries.

Pakistan pharmaceutical company Ferzsons Laboratories informed that its subsidiary BF Biosciences Ltd (BFBL) was in negotiations with Gilead Sciences Inc for the manufacture and sale of Remdesivir.

In its filing to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Ferozsons informed that its listed subsidiary BF Biosciences Limited (BFBL) was negotiating for a non-exclusive license agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and sell Remdesivir to supply in Pakistan and 126 other countries. “There is no obligation at this time for any party to execute any transaction,” Ferozsons told the PSX.

“If an agreement is executed by Gilead and BFBL, once production starts, we are confident that we will have sufficient quantities over time to serve the needs of the patients in Pakistan,” the company added.

“However, at the moment we are uncertain as to the timelines for first launch as an agreement remains to be executed, and thereafter local regulatory approvals and sourcing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient for manufacturing Remdesivir may take some time.”

It may be mentioned here that Remdesivir has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 treatment. “The optimal duration of treatment was under ongoing clinical trials. Under the EUA, both 5-day and 10-day treatment durations have been suggested based on the severity of the disease.”