Hetero receives emergency use authorisation for anti-Covid drug

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based Hetero Group said that the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the generic version of Tocilizumab in India for the treatment of Covid-19 in hospitalised adults.

It is aimed to treat individuals who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non- invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Dr B Partha Saradhi Reddy, chairman, Hetero Group said, “This demonstrates our technical capabilities and commitment to bringing important therapeutics relevant to



Covid care. We will be working closely with the Government to ensure equitable distribution.”

The company’s biologics arm Hetero Biopharma will be manufacturing the drug at its dedicated biologics facility, based at Jadcherla, Hyderabad.

Hetero’s Tocira (Tocilizumab) will be marketed by its associate company Hetero Healthcare in India with the support of its distribution network across the country.

The company’s Tocilizumab 400mg/20ml is the biosimilar version of Roche’s Actemra/RoActemra and will be available from this month end.