Cipla joins hands with CSIR-IICT to develop coronavirus drug

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) has tied up with pharmaceutical giant Cipla to work on the development of antiviral drugs to contain COVID-19. Research on anti-viral drugs has been on throughout the world for long and many companies have developed molecules having anti-viral properties. But due to lack of demand, these molecules were not widely marketed, according to IICT sources.

However, the CSIR-IICT decided to work on three such molecules -- remdesivir, favipiravir and baloxavir. Cipla urged the IICT director S Chandrasekhar to start work on these molecules on an immediate basis. Quoting a top official of Cipla, the sources said Cipla would upscale the process on the basis of know-how given by CSIR-IICT.

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Cipla Limited is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, headquartered in Mumbai, India.

Cipla was founded by Khwaja Abdul Hamied in 1935.

Cipla primarily develops medicines to treat respiratory, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, weight control, depression and other medical conditions.

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