Roche, Cipla launch antibody drug in India, to cost ₹59k per dose

THE ANTIBODY COCKTAIL IS TO BE ADMINISTERED FOR TREATING MILD TO MODERATE COVID-19 CASES

NEW DELHI: Drug majors Roche India and Cipla on Monday announced launch of Roche’s Antibody Cocktail in India priced at ₹59,750 per dose for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk.

“The first batch of the Antibody Cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) is now available in India while a second batch will be made available by mid-june. In total they can potentially benefit 2,00,000 patients as each of the 1,00,000 packs that will be available in India offers treatment for two patients,” Cipla and Roche said in a joint statement. Cipla will distribute the product by leveraging its strong distribution strengths across the country, it added.

The price for each patient dose [a combined dose of 1,200 mg (600 mg of Casirivimab and 600 mg of Imdevimab)] will be ₹59,750 inclusive of all taxes. The maximum retail price for the multi dose pack (each pack can treat two patients) is ₹1,19,500 inclusive of all taxes As per the statement, the drug will be available through leading hospitals and COVID treatment centers. The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) had recently provided an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the Antibody Cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) in India. It has also received a EUA in the US and several EU countries. “We are optimistic that the availability of Antibody Cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) in India can help in minimising hospitalisation, ease the burden on healthcare systems and play a key role in treatment of high risk patients before their condition worsens,” said V Simpson Emmanuel, Managing Director and CEO, Roche Pharma India. ‘’ Umang Vohra, MD and Global CEO Cipla said we look forward to leveraging our solid marketing and distribution strengths in India to provide broader, equitable access to this innovative treatment option in the country. The drug is to be administered for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are confirmed to be infected and who are at high risk of developing severe disease and do not require oxygen.