Fujifilm partners with Dr. Reddys and Global Response Aid for deployment of a COVID-19 treatment drug outside of Japan

FUJIFILM Corporation partners with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in India and Global Response Aid, a global provider of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, aimed at overseas deployment of a treatment drug for the novel coronavirus infectious disease, or COVID-19. On June 30, a Tripartite Licensing Agreement was concluded between FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd., Dr. Reddy’s, and GRA, concerning the development, manufacture and sales of Avigan® Tablets, which is a potential drug for a treatment of COVID-19. Under the Agreement, FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical will grant Dr. Reddy’s and GRA the exclusive right to develop, manufacture* and sell Avigan overseas**, and, receive a lump-sum license fee and royalties on sales.

Based on the Agreement, FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical will provide Dr. Reddy’s and GRA an array of data on Avigan’s preclinical and clinical studies that FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical has accumulated thus far. Dr. Reddy’s and GRA, for their part, will make use of this data to swiftly implement clinical studies, targeting COVID-19 patients in India, the Middle East, and other regions where infections have been spreading.

In addition, FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical will grant Dr. Reddy’s right to use Avigan’s patents of formulation and manufacturing method. Dr. Reddy’s will herewith establish a setup for manufacturing drugs of the same quality as Avigan, and utilize GRA’s global sales network to supply the manufactured drugs swiftly and in a stable manner.

Dr. Reddy’s is a global pharmaceutical company which develops, manufactures, and sells generic drugs. It has been expanding business not only in India but also in Europe, the US and several other markets across the world and is accelerating its global business development. GRA, a company based in Dubai, offers medical supplies, drugs, and medical services worldwide in cooperation with drug and medical device manufacturers.

Avigan was approved for manufacture and sale in Japan as an anti-influenza virus drug. Because it has a mechanism of action that selectively inhibits viral RNA polymerase, thereby preventing viral proliferation, the drug may potentially have an antiviral effect on the novel coronavirus, as it is classified into the same type of RNA virus as influenza viruses. The Fujifilm Group is currently conducting a clinical study on Avigan targeting COVID-19 patients in Japan and the US, and is working to increase the drug’s production by partnering with domestic and overseas companies.

In urgent need of treatment drug while COVID-19 remains a serious concern, the Fujifilm group will accelerate the development and supply for global deployment of Avigan by partnering with Dr. Reddy’s and GRA. The Fujifilm Group will contribute to ending the pandemic by delivering a treatment drug as soon as possible to patients suffering from COVID-19.

About FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan is one of the major operating companies of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation. The company brings cutting edge solutions to a broad range of global industries by leveraging its depth of knowledge and fundamental technologies developed in its relentless pursuit of innovation. Its proprietary core technologies contribute to the various fields including healthcare, graphic systems, highly functional materials, optical devices, digital imaging and document products. These products and services are based on its extensive portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic and imaging technologies. For the year ended March 31, 2020, the company had global revenues of $21 billion, at an exchange rate of 109 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship.

About Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. is an integrated pharmaceutical company, committed to providing affordable and innovative medicines for healthier lives. Through its three businesses – Pharmaceutical Services & Active Ingredients, Global Generics and Proprietary Products – Dr. Reddy’s offers a portfolio of products and services including APIs, custom pharmaceutical services, generics, biosimilars and differentiated formulations. Our major therapeutic areas of focus are gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, diabetology, oncology, pain management and dermatology. Dr. Reddy’s operates in markets across the globe. Our major markets include – USA, India, Russia & CIS countries, and Europe.