Dr Reddy's denies reports it is in talks with Gilead for Covid-19 antiviral

Patient groups urge govt to revoke Gilead's remedesivir patent in the wake of the crisis

While media reports suggested that Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories is in the early stages of creating a generic version of anti-viral drug remedesivir, the company on Thursday has denied the same. 

The drug, patented by Gilead, is reportedly working well for critically ill Covid-19 patients. A multi-country trial is on. 

Speaking to the media on Thursday, G V Prasad, co-chairman and managing director of Dr Reddy's said that his company was not working on remedesivir and that it was not talks with Gilead on the subject. DRL shares, however, shot up in morning trade on the BSE. 

The industry believes