CSIR-IICT ties up with Cipla to develop anti-COVID-19 drug

Hyderabad, Mar 17 (): Hyderabad-based CSIR-IndianInstitute of Chemical Technology (IICT) has tied up withpharmaceutical giant Cipla to work on development of anti-viral drugs to contain COVID-19.

Research on anti-viral drugs has been on throughout theworld for long and many companies have developed moleculeshaving anti-viral properties. But due to lack of demand, thesemolecules were not widely marketed, according to IICT sources.

However, the CSIR-IICT decided to work on three suchmolecules -- remdesivir, favipiravir and baloxavir. Ciplaurged the IICT director S Chandrasekhar to start work on thesemolecules on an immediate basis.

Quoting a top official of Cipla, the sources said Ciplawould upscale the process on the basis of know-how given byCSIR-IICT. SJR VVKNVG NVG