Global pharmaceutical company Mylan on July 20 announced the commercial launch of the generic version of Gilead Sciences's antiviral drug remdesivir under the brand name 'DESREM' in India to address urgent needs amid COVID-19.

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Available at a price of Rs 4,800 per 100mg vial, the drug costs more than 80 percent less than the price at which the branded version of this product will be available to governments in the developed world, Mylan said. The drug can be used for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed incidences of COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalised with severe presentations of the disease.

Releasing the first batch of its generic remdesivir (DESREM), Mylan said it will continue to increase its supply across the country in the wake of the rising demand for the drug. The company also launched a 24/7 helpline where patients and healthcare practitioners can access information about Mylan's remdesivir and its availability. "With the launch of DESREMTM and our national 24/7 COVID-19 helpline, we aim to enhance access to this critical medicine, used for treating adults and children with severe presentations of COVID-19," the President, India and Emerging Markets, Mylan, said in a statement.

Mylan said it will manufacture DESREM in its facility in Bengaluru, which will work to service the demand in India and other export markets where Mylan has received a license from Gilead for the commercialisation of remdesivir.