India Zydus Cadila gets approval from Mexico to test potential COVID-19 drug

New Delhi: Zydus Cadila, a drug firm has received approval from Mexico's regulatory authority Cofepris to test one of its lead research candidate Desidustat in the management of COVID-19. "Clinical and regulatory development of Desidustat in COVID-19 is being executed in Mexico by Avant Santé Research Center S.A. de C.V., a leading contract research organisation headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico," Cadila Healthcare said in a regulatory filing.

The company said it will conduct a study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Desidustat tablets for the management of COVID-19 patients.

"As a part of the study, 100 mg tablets of Desidustat will be administered for a period of 14 days along with recommended standard care during the trial," the company added.

Zydus Cadila Chairman Pankaj R Patel said, “At Zydus, we have been stepping up our efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic through therapeutic drugs, diagnostics and vaccines. With Desidustat we will study a novel approach for management of COVID-19".

Zydus had initiated two phase-III trials of Desidustat. Last week, Zydus had received approval from Indian authorities to start human trials for its COVID-19 vaccine contender - the second Indian pharmaceutical firm to get such nod amid a surge in novel coronavirus infections worldwide.

Shares of Cadila Healthcare, the listed entity of the group, were trading at Rs 363.40 apiece on BSE, 0.78 per cent lower against their previous close.