Torrent Pharma has announced that it is introducing MSD (a trade name of Merck & Co.), and Ridgeback’s molnupiravir under the brand name Molnutor in India. Earlier this year, Torrent Pharma inked a non-exclusive voluntary licensing pact with MSD, granting rights to Torrent Pharma for manufacturing, distribution and marketing of molnupiravir in more than 100 low-and middle-income markets including India for treatment of Covid-19.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), based on the review of clinical data of molnupiravir has approved the drug for the treatment of Covid-19 in adults for restricted emergency use in India. Molnupiravir is the oral antiviral approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA)] for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid -19 in adults.

Commenting on the launch, Aman Mehta (Executive Director – India) said: “We are pleased to partner with MSD to bring molnupiravir to patients across India. Molnupiravir will be an important addition to our healthcare system’s ammunition in the fight against Covid-19.”