Global Response Aid, FujiFilm, Dr Reddy’s Partner on Potential COVID Drug

Agreement will create faster access to Avigan in global fight against COVID-19

TOKYO – July 1, 2020 – Global Response Aid and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories have signed a deal with FujiFilm for global production and distribution of Avigan, an anti-viral drug being tested in several countries as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

Avigan, an influenza anti-viral developed by FujiFilm, comes in pill and IV form and is currently being tested in Japan and elsewhere as a therapeutic to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and speed the recovery of patients under treatment for the virus. Under terms of the agreement, FujiFilm will collaborate with Global Response Aid (GRA) and Dr. Reddy’s to manufacture Avigan and distribute, sell and market it around the world. The agreement will increase production volumes and help reach patients faster amid the current pandemic.

The partnership will eventually cover manufacturing and distribution for markets that are home to 6 billion of the world’s 7.8 billion people. FujiFilm will continue to market Avigan exclusively in Japan, Russia and China. Dr. Reddy’s and GRA will distribute, sell and market Avigan in all other countries globally.

The agreement calls for GRA and Dr. Reddy’s to manage sales, marketing, regulatory compliance and distribution of Avigan. As an affiliate of Agility, GRA will use the logistics company’s global network. Agility has more than 30 GDP-certified facilities worldwide and is able to provide a full range of logistics services: storage, distribution and transportation to include air freight, ocean freight and road freight.

Dr. Reddy’s will manufacture the Active Ingredient and Formulation of Avigan, utilizing its multiple manufacturing facilities in strategic locations. Agility, a leading global logistics company that established GRA, will provide logistics and distribution services.

“If current testing is able to establish Avigan as a safe, effective treatment for COVID-19, we can’t afford to wait before making it available to as many people around the world as possible,” said Tarek Sultan, CEO of Agility. “We need to be producing a high volume of treatment courses and have a distribution network and plan in place so make Avigan available to as many frontline health providers as possible. GRA’s partnership with Dr. Reddy’s and FujiFilm gives us that capability.”

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About Global Response Aid (GRA)

Global Response Aid, based in Dubai, provides solutions to public health challenges. GRA was established by global logistics leader Agility and AiPHARMA a biotechnology company to procure and develop certified diagnostic, testing and protective products and services used in the detection, treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and other public health threats. GRA works with trusted manufacturers to source safe, effective products for governments, health authorities and public institutions; frontline medical facilities; NGOs; and companies looking to safeguard workers and workplaces. GRA-sourced products include ventilators, thermal detection equipment, thermometers, masks, goggles, protective suits, nitrile gloves, cleaning and sanitation supplies, and point-of-care test kits. GRA’s mobile phone app helps stop the spread of viruses through the use of community-driven contact tracing and alerts. GRA also deploys Mobile Diagnostic Testing Vehicles and trained teams that perform COVID-19 testing at schools and workplaces.

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About FUJIFILM

FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. conducts the research, development, manufacture, and sales of radiopharmaceuticals and small molecule pharmaceutical products. Under close cooperation with FUJIFILM Corporation, it aims to develop innovative diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, as well as therapeutic drugs having unique mechanisms of action in the fields of “oncology,” “central nervous system diseases,” and “infectious diseases” where significant unmet medical needs still exist. It also works to develop new medicines utilizing drug delivery system (DDS) technologies, designed to deliver the required amount of a drug in a timely manner to the specific body area. By exploring synergy with in vitro diagnostic devices and reagents owned by Fujifilm group companies, the company will expand its offering of comprehensive solutions from diagnosis to treatment. FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical have expanded its business areas to medical IoT solutions including a system to support pharmacists’ drug dispensing auditing work, and a transportation device that enables strict temperature control suited for blood products, cells and tissue used for regenerative medicine. Through the development and supply of high-quality, high added-value new drugs and products that support the clinical settings, FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical strives to solve various social challenges, and contribute to improving medicine and enhancing the quality of life.

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About Dr. Reddy’s

About Dr. Reddy’s: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (BSE: 500124, NSE: DRREDDY, NYSE: RDY) is an integrated pharmaceutical company, committed to providing affordable and innovative medicines for healthier lives. Through its three businesses – Pharmaceutical Services & Active Ingredients, Global Generics and Proprietary Products – Dr. Reddy’s offers a portfolio of products and services including APIs, custom pharmaceutical services, generics, biosimilars and differentiated formulations. Our major therapeutic areas of focus are gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, diabetology, oncology, pain management and dermatology. Dr. Reddy’s operates in markets across the globe. Our major markets include – USA, India, Russia & CIS countries, and Europe.

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About Agility

Agility is a global logistics company with $5.2 billion in annual revenue and 26,000+ employees in more than 100 countries. It is one of the world’s top freight forwarding and contract logistics providers, and a leader and investor in technology to enhance supply chain efficiency. Agility is a pioneer in emerging markets and one of the largest private owners and developers of warehousing and light industrial parks in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Agility’s subsidiary companies offer fuel logistics, airport services, commercial real estate and facilities management, customs digitization, and remote infrastructure services.

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