Zydus, an innovation driven global pharma major and TLC, a specialty pharmaceutical company in Taiwan, today announced the signing of a license supply and commercialization agreement to commercialize AmphoTLC (Amphotericin B Liposome for Injection 50mg) in India.

AmphoTLC is a critical drug to treat Mucormycosis or Black Fungus in India. Under the terms of the agreement, TLC will manufacture and supply AmphoTLC™ on a non-exclusive basis to Zydus, and Zydus will commercialize AmphoTLC in India.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India has approved the New Drug Application (NDA) of TLC for Amphotericin B Liposome for Injection 50mg or AmphoTLC for immediate importation as per approved usage and indication. AmphoTLC is the first and only complex generic drug to have achieved bioequivalence to Gilead's AmBisome, proving its sameness to the safest form of amphotericin B in the world. With the surge of infections in India in the recent days AmphoTLC will address the country's acute liposomal amphotericin B shortage.

The steep increase in price and the financial burden it brings is forcing patients to opt for conventional amphotericin B, which is known for its nephrotoxicity, with many patients having to discontinue usage due to renal toxicities. 

Speaking on the development, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, of Cadila Healthcare Ltd, said, "With India facing an acute shortage of the drug to treat mucormycosis, we are making this critical drug available in India on an immediate basis. The need of the hour is to tackle this life-threatening infection with a safe and effective therapy."

Commenting on the speed of the process, George Yeh, President of TLC, said, "We would like to thank Zydus for their quick action and cooperation in enabling a swift commercialization process. TLC is glad to be able to assist in the humanitarian crisis in such a quick fashion, and as our corporate tagline - Delivering Hope for Life™ - depicts, we will be delivering the first batch of AmphoTLC™ to India to help assuage the urgent need for one of the safest and most effective antifungal drugs very soon."