The potential partnership will explore new therapeutic solutions and serve unmet needs of patients in Neglected Tropical Diseases in LMICs and beyond
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services have announced an MoU with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a not-for-profit research and development organisation.
The parties will explore a potential collaboration to develop and market novel and improved drugs for the treatment of identified Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) of national and global importance. The parties will also seek to work towards ensuring access of those drugs at affordable prices to patients in need particularly in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) that are disproportionately affected by these NTDs.
The potential partnership will aim to bring DNDi’s expertise in NTDs together with the scientific, technical and commercial capabilities of APSL and Dr Reddy’s – access to a pipeline of new chemical entities, pre-clinical studies, network and advocacy on these NTDs by DNDi; phase-wise clinical studies, research and development, commercial manufacturing of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and the finished products by APSL; distribution and commercialisation of the drugs by Dr Reddy’s.
Deepak Sapra, CEO – API and Services, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, said: “In keeping with our purpose of Good Health Can’t Wait, we have always stood for access to affordable and innovative drugs. We are grateful for this opportunity to explore a collaboration with DNDi, a globally renowned champion of the cause of neglected diseases with strong networks and know-how in this segment. We will look to leverage the strengths and capabilities of all the parties to explore new drugs to make them available in India and countries with high disease burdens in these NTDs. This potential partnership reinforces our aim as an organisation to triple our existing reach to touch over 1.5 billion patients around the world by 2030, and to introduce innovatively
products to improve the standard of care.”
Dr Bernard Pecoul, Executive Director, DNDi said, “We are excited to explore the possibility of a strategic long-term collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to develop affordable and effective therapeutics for neglected populations. India is hailed as the ‘pharmacy of the world’ and a potential partnership with one of its pharmaceutical giants can help hundreds of thousands of neglected patients to access the drugs they need. We appreciate Dr Reddy’s for stepping forward to contribute to the field of neglected diseases that have historically been ignored by many pharmaceutical companies.”
Akhil Ravi, CEO, Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services, said, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to explore a partnership with DNDi and use our robust manufacturing capabilities and CDMO services to serve a large population around the world in the NTDs segment. Over the years, APSL has delivered novel and complex molecules. With integrated services from clinical research to commercial manufacturing for small and large molecules, APSL has a strong track record of working on multiple projects across various therapy areas. Through our strong pipeline of innovative drug candidates in discovery and clinical development, we aim to become the trusted and dynamic partner for future-ready healthcare solutions.”
Dr Kavita Singh, Director, DNDi South Asia said, ‘’This potential partnership aims to leverage each other’s expertise and strengths while working together to develop new treatments that address public health needs in India and beyond. The selection will be made from DNDi’s portfolio of new chemical entities in different stages of development. DNDi with its partners are continuing their efforts to develop treatments that are oral, safe, and effective.’’
