Cadila Healthcare Limited (Zydus Cadila)
During FY20-21, Ahmedabad-based Cadila Healthcare (popularly known as Zydus Cadila) spent approximately 7.5 per cent of its total revenue into R&D, amounting to Rs 1132 crore. More than 1400 scientists across its eight state-of-the-art R&D facilities focus on New Chemical Entity (NCE) and New Biological Entity (NBE) research, development of biosimilars and vaccines, generic product development covering various dosage forms such as oral solids, having both immediate release and modified release pattern, injectables, topicals, transdermals and nasal products and API process development. The Zydus Research Centre (ZRC) is the dedicated research arm of the Zydus Group with its team of over 400 research professionals. In addition, Zydus Biotech Park houses the Zydus VTEC (Vaccine Technology Excellence Centre) which is the new manufacturing hub for the world’s first DNA plasmid vaccine. The Vaccine Technology Centre (VTC) has two state-of-the-art R & D centres, one located in Catania, Italy and the other in Ahmedabad.
Key Highlights of FY20-21
■ Developed world’s first Plasmid DNA vaccine, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
■ Launched Virafin (Pegylated Interferon alpha- 2b) for treating moderate COVID-19 infection in adults.
■ Zydus and TLC of Taiwan, signed a license, supply and commercialisation agreement to commercialise AmphoTLC (Amphotericin B Liposome for Injection 50mg)- to treat Mucormycosis or Black Fungus in India.
■ Launched Viroshield mouth spray, a unique scientifically tested enzyme based formulation
■ Made Remdac, its brand of Remdesivir, at Rs 899 for a 100 mg lyophilised injection.
■ Announced Phase I trials of ZYIL1, a novel oral small molecule NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor for COVID-19
■ Completed Phase I clinical trials for an anti-malarial drug candidate
■ Completed the recruitment of patients for Phase III clinical trials in India for another Investigational New Drug (IND), Desidustat, targeted at treating anemia both in dialysis and non-dialysis dependent CKD patients.
■ Received an approval from the USFDA to initiate Phase II (b) clinical trials of Saroglitazar Magnesium for NASH and F2/F3 Fibrosis in the US.
■ Received an approval from the DCGI for a New Drug Application (NDA) of Saroglitazar Magnesium for the treatment of Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in India. The molecule became the first medicine for the treatment of NAFLD in India.
■ Successfully completed Phase III clinical trials in India for Rituximab.
■ Launched first biosimilar - Pegfilgrastim in Russia
■ Received marketing authorisation in India for Hepatitis B Vaccine (rDNA) I.P. and Pentavalent Vaccine.
■ Completed Phase II/ III clinical trials in adults and adolescents in India for Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) vaccine and submitted the marketing authorisation application to DCGI.
■ Filed 22 additional abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) with the USFDA
■ Sets-up a new manufacturing facility to produce DNA based vaccine ZyCov-D
■ Seeks DCGI approval to undertake clinical trials for ZRC-3308 (Covimabs), a cocktail of two anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies to combat COVID-19.
From diagnostics to therapeutics and preventives, Zydus has been leading the way with a mission to do all that it can to fight this challenge. We leveraged our manufacturing capabilities to provide required quantities of Hydroxychloroquine and other therapies like Dexamethasone and other medicines, to help patients fight the infection. ZyCoV-D, our plasmid DNA vaccine, has shown promising results. No severe cases of COVID-19 or deaths have been observed after the third dose of ZyCoV-D till date. Also, no moderate case of COVID-19 disease was observed in the vaccine arm post administration of the third dose suggesting 100 per cent efficacy for moderate disease. ZyCoV-D received approvals for emergency use from the DCGI & is the first vaccine to be made available for adolescents in the age group of 12-18 years, besides the adult population.
- PANKAJ R. PATEL
Chairman Cadila Healthcare Limited