Cadila, Torrent get licence to make generic version of Pfizer's Covid pill

Pharma firms enter into licensing agreement with Medicine Patent Pool to use nirmatrelvir compound for making PAXLOVID

Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (CPL) and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (TPL) on Thursday announced bagging of license from Medicine Patent Pool (MPP) to manufacture and commercialise generic version of Pfizer's oral Covid-19 treatment.

In a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and a non-sub licensable licensing agreement entered with the UN-based public health organisation MPP, the companies can use the patents and know-how of MPP's nirmatrelvir compounds, which is co-administered with ritonavir, for manufacturing and commercialising of the generic version of Pfizer's PAXLOVID.

Cadila and Torrent are part of around 35 companies in 12 countries with whom MPP has signed licensing agreements to produce and supply nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.