Eli Lilly and Company announced that it has issued additional royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licenses to established Indian pharma manufacturers of generic medicines, Dr Reddy’s, MSN Laboratories and Torrent Pharmaceuticals, who will be collaborating with Lilly to accelerate and expand the availability of baricitinib in India. “These three additional voluntary licensing agreements will ensure high quality manufacturing and accessibility of baricitinib during this pandemic improving the local treatment options available to positively impact the lives of people who are currently battling COVID-19 in India,” said the company through a statement.

Lilly received permission for restricted emergency use by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health, for baricitinib to be used in combination with remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalized adults requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

On May 10, Lilly had also announced the signing of three Voluntary License Agreements with key pharma manufacturers of generic medicines, Cipla, Lupin and Sun Pharma Industries.

Commenting on the development, Luca Visini, MD, India Subcontinent, Lilly India, said, “We are swiftly working to ensure high quality manufacturing and equitable access of Baricitinib for COVID-19 in India by issuing six voluntary licenses for baricitinib to pharma companies in India.. This is in addition to the donations being offered by Lilly to the Indian Government. We will continue to explore other possible initiatives to support patients and the healthcare system in India.”

Lilly had also announced donations of baricitinib through the humanitarian aid organisation, Direct Relief, to the Indian government for eligible hospitalised COVID-19 patients in India.