The Daman-based Sovereign Pharma is manufacturing the antiviral drug for Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla, as it continues to be one of the few effective ways to combat Covid-19. Established in 2003 as a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) to produce high-quality injectables for pharmaceutical companies worldwide, Sovereign now produces 350 million pieces each year. It sells over one billion injections by the number of doses every year.
As Indian medical authorities and the pharma industry are working relentlessly to provide medications to treat Coronavirus, Sovereign Pharma announced the dispatch of its first batch of Remdesivir injections for Cipla on 7 July 2020.
Sovereign Pharma dispatches the first batch of Remdesivir
In the absence of a definitive treatment line, the Indian government under the guidance of prime minister Narendra Modi has been instrumental in encouraging local drug manufacturers to identify potential treatments for the virus and ramp up production of the existing medications. Within the union territory of Daman and Diu, one of India’s pharmaceutical hubs, Sovereign Pharma has prepared the first batch of Remdesivir within record time. According to the press statement, the plant recently went through a meticulous inspection by the CDSCO and received necessary approvals from the authority within a week, under the guidance of administrator Praful Patel.
To commemorate the achievement, Anil Kumar Singh, advisor to the administrator, Dr A M Muthamma, secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Rakesh Minhas, collector, Daman, Dr Vikramjit Singh, SP Daman, Dr Das, director Medical and Health Services and Drug Licensing Authority, and Dr Agarwal, drug inspector were present along with Kairus Dadachanji, managing director, and Rishad Dadachanji, director, Sovereign Pharma to flag off the first dispatch of Remdesivir from the Daman facility.
“Our manufacturing sites remain compliant with the highest global standards and certifications at all times, as it is our constant endeavor to cater to the pharma industry’s ever-evolving requirements. Even in such unprecedented times, we are proud that our facility has been able to supply this medication in record time to one of our key clients,” shared Rishad Dadachanji.
Remdesivir is known for successfully reducing the virus load in Coronavirus patients, and has been going through tests for specific treatment for Covid-19. It has been authorized for emergency use or severe cases in several countries, including India.
“We have constantly been manufacturing Remdesivir since last month, and at our current capacity, we can supply 50,000 to 95,000 pieces of the injectable per month. We know how critical the situation is, especially with the pandemic still spreading across the country. Hence, we are in constant touch with all our clients, and ready to cater to their requirements with utmost priority,” Rishad said.
With the PM Modi government’s push to become a global pharmaceutical hub, India has been at the forefront for producing and distributing effective medications to fight Coronavirus. Cipla is amongst the six Indian generic pharma manufacturers that have signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with Gilead Sciences for its patented drug Veklury (Remdesivir). In turn, Cipla has signed a contract manufacturing agreement with BDR Pharmaceuticals, who have further transferred the formulation technology for manufacturing and packaging of the generic drug to Sovereign.
