This makes Zydus the fifth company in India and sixth in the world to sign licensing agreement for Gilead's anti-viral drug.

Indian drug maker Zydus Cadila signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences for the manufacturing and distribution of remdesivir, a potential therapy for in COVID-19. This makes Zydus the fifth company in India and sixth in the world to sign licensing agreement for Gilead's anti-viral drug.

Remdesivir, the investigational drug from Gilead, has been issued an 'emergency use authorisation' by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of coronavirus, Zydus Cadila said in a statement.

As part of the pact, Zydus will get the manufacturing know-how from Gilead to manufacture the API for remdesivir and the finished product. Zydus will market it in 127 countries.

The licenses are reportedly royalty-free until the WHO declares the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding COVID-19, or until a pharmaceutical product other than remdesivir or a vaccine is approved to treat or prevent Covid-19.