Cipla, Roche launch covid-19 antibody cocktail at ₹59,750 per dose
1 min read 24 May 2021, 01:42 PM ISTAn antibody cocktail is a mixture of two or more unique biological drugs that act like human antibodies in the immune system and help fight off infection
PremiumNEW DELHI : Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche Holding AG and Cipla Ltd began selling on Monday a covid-19 antibody drug cocktail to treat non-hospitalized patients who face high risks of their infections turning severe.
The drug, which has been developed by New York-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., comprises of two antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab. An antibody cocktail is a mix of two or more unique biological drugs that act like human antibodies to help fight off infection.
Roche Pharma India will import the cocktail, which will be marketed and distributed through a strategic partnership with Cipla.
Cipla will sell the two-dose pack at ₹119,500, the two companies said in a joint statement. The second batch will be made available by the middle of June.
“We are optimistic that the availability of antibody cocktail in India can help in minimizing hospitalization, ease the burden on healthcare systems and play a key role in treatment of high-risk patients before their condition worsens," V. Simpson Emmanuel, managing director and chief executive officer of Roche Pharma India, said in the statement.
In total, the antibody drug cocktail can potentially benefit 200,000 patients as each of the 100,000 packs that will be available in India can treat two patients, Roche and Cipla said.
The launch of the cocktail follows an emergency authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India earlier this month.
