By Michael Susin

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said Thursday that it has been granted a sub-license by the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool to produce molnupiravir, an oral antiviral treatment for symptomatic cases of Covid-19.

The generic drug maker said it expects to start the domestic distribution in Bangladesh and to export from the end of 2022.

The company said it will continue to sell its own generic version of molnupiravir, emorivir.

With the license, Beximco has become one of the first Bangladeshi companies to produce molnupiravir, it added.

"Since the start of the pandemic, we have remained committed to assessing opportunities to increase the access and affordability of Covid-19 treatments for patients. As such, we are delighted to have been granted a sub-license to produce molupiravir by the United Nations- backed Medicines Patent Pool," the company said.