Biocon likely to seek full marketing authorisation for Covid-19 drug

 Expects results from phase 4 study of itolizumab by end of this quarter

Bangalore-headquartered Biocon may consider applying for full marketing authorization for itolizumab, a novel antibody product used to treat Covid-19 patients, in India.

If the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gives a nod for marketing authorization, itolizumab (brand name Alzumab) will become the first drug to have full authorization for use in Covid-19 patients. So far, repurposed drugs, such as Gilead’s remdesivir (an antiviral) or Roche’s tocilizumab (an antibody), have emergency use authorizations in different countries.

Arun Chandavarkar, managing director of the Bengaluru-headquartered company, said: “We expect results from the phase 4 study on itolizumab by the end of this quarter. This would be real-world data from around 300 patients.”

A phase 4 study is studying the use and impact of the drug in real-world scenarios. This happens after a drug has been approved and is available in the market. Phase 4 studies help to answer key questions like whether the drug has many side effects that were missed in the clinical trials, or how well the drug or treatment works over a long period.

“Based on these results, we may evaluate options to file for full authorization of the drug for use in Covid-19 patients. As of now, Alzumab has an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the DCGI. The data from the phase 4 study may help to get a full marketing authorization contingent to DCGI approval,” Chandavarkar said.

Doctors have used Itolizumab across the country during the second wave of the pandemic. Biocon said dosing the right patient at the right time was extremely critical for favorable outcomes with itolizumab.

The results from the phase 4 study may also help the drug to be included in the standard of care (SoC) protocol for Covid-19. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) protocol for Covid-19 treatment does not include the drug at the moment. The drug already has a marketing authorization for treating psoriasis, an auto-immune disorder, since 2013.