Natco and Bajaj Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. (BH) have filed for compulsory Licence (CL) applications for covid drug Baricitinib ( IN 270765). In the CL application both cite life threatening public health emergency which is currently prevailing in India due to the resurgence of the Covid-19 virus as the reason for gran of CL in addition to the high price of the drug.

The Applicant submits that there is an unmet need for Baricitinib both due to lack of supply as well as lack of affordability of even what is or has been supplied under the brand Olumiant by Eli Lilly The per tablet cost is INR 3230.00. For a 14-day treatment regimen the price works out to INR 45220.00 per patient.

Natco Pharma Ltd., has however formally withdrawn the application for Compulsory License as Eli Lilly and Company, the exclusive licensee of IN 270765 has entered into a royalty-free, limited, voluntary license agreement with Natco Pharma Ltd. in respect of baricitinib, covered and claimed under IN 270765, for COVID-19 use within the territory of India.