Hyderabad: Molnupiravir, a COVID drug developed by Aurobindo Pharma, is now available in India. Molnupiravir  has been marketed in India under the brand name "Molnaflu" by Aurobindo Pharma Limited.

According to a press statement from the city-based medication company, Molnupiravir is for the treatment of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 under specified conditions. Molnupiravir was previously licensed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization under an Emergency Use Authorization.

Aurobindo inked a bi-lateral non-exclusive voluntary licensing deal with Merck Sharpe Dohme, Singapore (MSD), a subsidiary of Merck & Co. (US), to produce and supply Molnupiravir to over 100 LMICs, including India, earlier this year.

"We are delighted with the timely permission from DCGI for the licensed version of Molnupiravir (Molnaflu) as it opens up access to an affordable treatment option for COVID-19 patients and allows us to help fight the pandemic with effective and high-quality pharmaceutical products," said K Nithyananda Reddy, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Aurobindo. Aurobindo has backward integration with in-house API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) manufacturing for the licensed version of Molnupiravir, giving it greater control over the Quality systems and Supply chain. The product will be manufactured in India at the Company's production facilities, which have been approved by international regulatory organizations such as the USFDA and the UK MHRA.

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