Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has expanded its partnership with Sanofi Healthcare to introduce a novel drug, Beyfortus, for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in newborns and infants. Beyfortus contains the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab and is administered via a prefilled injection. The medication is designed to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) LRTD in newborns and infants, as well as in children up to 24 months of age who are vulnerable to severe RSV disease.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious respiratory illness in infants. Under the partnership, Dr. Reddy’s will have exclusive rights to promote and distribute Beyfortus in India. The company plans to launch the drug in India in the second quarter of the current fiscal year. This announcement follows a successful partnership between Dr. Reddy’s and Sanofi for the distribution of vaccines in India last year.
The introduction of Beyfortus is a significant step in protecting children from immunization-preventable diseases like RSV. The drug has already been approved for use in several countries, including the European Union, the US, China, and Japan. In India, it received marketing authorization approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in June last year.
According to Dr. Reddy’s CEO, MV Ramana, Beyfortus provides healthcare professionals and parents with an improved option for preventing RSV. Nitya Padmanabhan, Head of Sanofi Vaccines (India), noted that bringing Beyfortus to India is a pivotal step in the company’s mission to protect every child from immunization-preventable diseases. The partnership between Dr. Reddy’s and Sanofi aims to increase access to this critical medication and improve the health outcomes of infants and young children in India.