As the US firm prepares to ramp up production of the antiviral for use in coronavirus patients, a debate is growing over whether changes could be made to EU rules that prevent the importation of generic drugs produced under a compulsory license.

Zydus Cadila hopes to launch its version of Gilead’s remdesivir by end-July in India, even as earlier licensees Hetero Drugs and Cipla have just commercialized the antiviral. Plans for pegylated interferon alfa-2b to treat COVID-19 include a trial in Mexico and an IND in the US. Separately, desidustat is being considered for additional indications.

Zydus Cadila hopes to launch its version of Gilead’s remdesivir by end-July in India, even as earlier licensees Hetero Drugs and Cipla have just commercialized the antiviral. Plans for pegylated interferon alfa-2b to treat COVID-19 include a trial in Mexico and an IND in the US. Separately, desidustat is being considered for additional indications.

While the jury is still out on dexamethasone being the new hero in the fight against COVID-19 after the hype around hydroxychloroquine has died down, Indian pharma is watching developments closely. Gains of companies like Zydus Cadila, Wockhardt, Cadila and Cipla in the domestic market will be constrained by price caps while any increase in exports will depend on emergency use authorizations.