Category news | EVA Pharma

Supporting India amid COVID-19 surge

EVA Pharma’s timely shipments of Remdesivir reached India during a major wave of coronavirus cases

When India experienced an unexpected COVID-19 surge this spring, the rapid increase in cases put pressure on the local pharmaceutical industry to supply the medicines needed. In April, EVA Pharma signed a contract with the Indian government to export 300,000 vials of Remdesivir, an approved treatment for coronavirus, to meet the urgent needs there.

Six shipments of Remdesivir were flown to Mumbai between May and June and were subsequently dispatched to hospitals across India, reaching patients everywhere from major cities to the remote archipelago of Lakshadweep.

“I’m glad to say that the six consignments in which the Remdesivir was dispatched to India were not only sent on schedule but in all cases before the schedule,” commented Ambassador Ajit Gupte, India’s envoy to Egypt. “This was a period when the caseload was very high in India, and the shipments would have helped to save a lot of lives.”

EVA Pharma is the only company in the Middle East or Africa that has been granted a voluntary license to produce and distribute Remdesivir by Gilead Sciences, Inc, the owner of the molecule. The production lines at the EVA Pharma facility in Haram, Cairo, are certified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), enabling the company to export its products globally.

COVID-19 cases in India have since declined, reducing the immediate pressure on local health systems and supply lines. Cases in other countries have gone up in recent months, however, especially due to the spread of the Delta variant. As a result, EVA Pharma has increased its exports of Remdesivir to other Asian countries such as Indonesia.

“We are proud to support COVID-19 efforts both in Egypt and around the world by manufacturing Remdesivir at our world-class manufacturing facility in Cairo,” said Dr. Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma. “With our monthly production of Remdesivir now amounting to 1.5 million doses, we are able to meet the local needs of Egyptian patients while also helping other countries tackle this crisis. In fact, we now supply more than 20 countries around the world with Remdesivir.”

The success of the cooperation between EVA Pharma and India highlights the potential for further fruitful collaboration between emerging economies, especially during times of need.

“As developing countries, what I can say is India and Egypt face similar challenges,” said Ambassador Gupte. “One of the challenges we face is how we can provide affordable health care to our millions of people because we are populous countries. Cost is important. So I think the closer the cooperation between India and Egypt, the more we will be able to help provide basic needs for the people of our countries.”

Antiviral Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®️ will be available at Pharmacies for the first time

Cairo,24 June 2021 – EVA Pharma announces that the antiviral Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®️ after one year of successful use in hospitals will be available at retail pharmacies in Egypt for the first time since its launch, enabling more access to patients according to the physician’s prescription and decision.

So far, Remdesivir has shown remarkable antiviral effects in preventing the deterioration of COVID-19 mild and moderate cases while reducing the treatment period in addition to lowering the need for ICU admission which shortened the patients’ recovery time.

According to the latest three real-world data presented at the World Microbe Forum (WMF) last week, the patients who received Remdesivir had a significantly lower risk for mortality compared with other patients. A reduction in mortality was observed across a spectrum of baseline oxygen requirements. The results were consistently observed at different timeframes over the course of the pandemic and across geographies. Two of the studies also observed that patients who received Remdesivir had a significantly increased likelihood of discharge from the hospital by Day 28.

The molecule was the first antiviral drug authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization, since then the medicine was used in more than 50 countries, including the USA, Germany, UK, and Japan.

On the other hand, EVA Pharma has the right to manufacture and supply the drug to 127 countries around the world as per the Voluntary License granted from the innovator company.

Also, EVA Pharma has signed a cooperation agreement with India, to supply nearly 300,000 doses of Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®️, to contribute to the efforts to confront the outbreak of Covid-19 in India.

About Remdesivir:

Remdesivir is an investigational nucleotide analog with broad-spectrum antiviral activity both in vitro and in vivo in animal models against multiple emerging viral pathogens, including Ebola, Marburg, MERS, and SARS. In vitro testing conducted by the innovator, company has demonstrated that Remdesivir is active against the virus that causes COVID-19.

EVA Pharma Signs Cooperation Agreement with India for exporting Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®️

The Indian Embassy in Cairo, on behalf of the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed a cooperation agreement with EVA Pharma, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies operating in more than 41 countries around the world, to supply nearly 300,000 doses of “Remdesivir EVA Pharma”, to contribute to the efforts to confront the outbreak of the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) in India.

The agreement was signed today at the Indian embassy by his excellency the Indian ambassador to Cairo, Ajit Gupte, and Dr. Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma.

Mr. Gupte, praised the keenness of the Egyptian state and the Egyptian national institutions to support India as its faces a large-spread Covid-19 crisis, expressing his confidence in the success of “Remdesivir EVA Pharma” in contributing effectively to the healing of tens of thousands of patients in India.

Ambassador Gupte thanked President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, for directing all the responsible authorities in the Egyptian state to cooperate with India in facing its “painful affliction”. In addition to the cooperation of EVA Pharma with the government of India to meet its needs of “Remdesivir” and other medicines and medical supplies agreed upon by both parties.

Dr. Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma, affirmed his confidence in the acceleration of “Remdesivir EVA Pharma” to cure cases infected with Covid-19.

It is currently considered the most effective medicine around the world in treating people with Corona, explaining that this drug prevents the virus to replicate inside the human cells and stops its spread thus it is best administered in the first few days of infection, which in turn reduces the death rates.

Dr. Riad Armanious announced the great success of the drug after its export to various countries from the Philippines in the east to Central American countries in the west, with EVA Pharma having the right to manufacture and supply the drug to 127 countries around the world. He noted that EVA Pharma’s production lines are certified by the European Medicines Agency, complying with the world’s highest quality standards, enabling the company to export its products globally.

Dr. Riad Armanious stated that EVA Pharma is now manufacturing the drug substance for Remdesivir in substantial amounts. With monthly Remdesivir production amounting to 1.5 million doses, giving EVA Pharma enough provisions to respond to unforeseen demands in sizable quantities, catering for countries facing a nationwide affliction while Egypt remains self-sufficient.

EVA Pharma is the first and only company with the VL (Voluntary License) in the Middle East and Africa to produce Remdesivir, curing tens of thousands of patients in Egypt and other countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa successfully.

EVA Pharma starts exporting weekly shipments of Remdesivir-EVA Pharma® to India

Cairo, May 1, 2021 – EVA Pharma responds to the Indian government call and starts exporting COVID-19 treatment “Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®” as COVID-19 cases mount and the demand for treatments spikes.

Following an agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc, EVA Pharma’s Egypt-based factory was one of the first companies to produce Remdesivir® as a licensed manufacturer for the antiviral treatment. The agreement provides Eva Pharma with Gilead’s most updated technology as well as manufacturing specifications and methods to accelerate the timeline of the production to export to 127 countries.

So far, Remdesivir has shown significant antiviral effects in preventing the deterioration of COVID-19 mild and moderate cases while reducing the treatment period to its third in addition to lowering the need for ICU admission.

“We are keen on supplying India with any needs from Remdesivir®, intending to effectively contribute to stopping the nightmare of increasing injuries and deaths toll in the country. While our factory achieved self-sufficiency for the Egyptian need of Remdesivir®, as we are exporting to many countries from the Philippines in the east to Panama in the west, and also to Africa and Europe. And now we are working with the Indian authorities for emergency licensing approval of Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®.”

EVA Pharma Announces Availability of Antiviral Avipiravir® Tablets in Egyptian Pharmacies

Cairo, March 4, 2021 – EVA Pharma announces the availability of Avipiravir® tablets, the antiviral COVID-19 treatment, in Egyptian pharmacies. Avipiravir® is the generic equivalent of the Japanese and Russian antiviral “Favipiravir” which showed positive clinical results in treating mild to moderate COVID-19 cases.

“Avipiravir® selectively inhibits viral replication inside the human cells; it has proven efficiency in treating severe influenza and respiratory viruses and it’s now used to treat the novel coronavirus in many countries including Egypt. Therefore, we value EDA’s decision to make the drug more accessible for patients and we are dedicated to manufacture and produce all the needed quantity.” Said Dr. Riad Armanious, chief executive officer of EVA Pharma.

Dr. Ashraf Hatem, Chairman of the Health Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and a member of the Supreme Committee for Respiratory Viruses at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, stated that “Avipiravir is now the first coronavirus treatment to be available in Egyptian pharmacies, making the treatment accessible for patients in home-isolation without the need for them to be admitted to hospitals in order to receive the treatment”.

While Dr. Adel Khattab, Professor of Chest Diseases at Ain Shams University and a member of the Supreme Committee for Respiratory Viruses at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, clarified “The oral drug favipiravir was first used as an influenza treatment in 2014 in Japan, and during the pandemic, the drug was under clinical researches by 40 countries to test its efficacy against (SARS-CoV-2) the virus that causes COVID-19 and was admitted to the treatment protocol in Egypt, India, China, Russia, and Japan. Today Avipiravir® is available in pharmacies, unlike the parenteral treatment Remdesivir-EVA Pharma® which is only available in the hospital setting.”

EVA Pharma manufactures Avipiravir® and exports the drug to countries on different continents since the first wave of coronavirus.

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EVA Pharma Launches Hepatitis B Treatment Tenofinamide® Tablets

Cairo, February 28, 2021 – EVA Pharma announced the launch of Tenofinamide® tablets for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Tenofinamide® tablets have the active pharmaceutical ingredient tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg which reduces the viral load while reducing side effects on kidneys and bones.

“For almost 16 years, we have been continuously providing novel HBV treatments for patients improving the quality of life for thousands of patients, not only in Egypt but also globally in all countries we export to.” said Dr. Amgad Talaat, specialty business unit manager at EVA Pharma.

In 2016 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the active ingredient tenofovir alafenamide TAF in the treatment of hepatitis B, which is a new substance of the tenofovir ingredient in Tenaviron®, also produced by EVA Pharma, but at a dose 10 times less thus allowing the new formulation to be more effective, liver cells-specific and safe.

Dr. Gamal Esmat, Professor of Hepatology and World Health Organization Advisor said: “Hepatologists and epidemiologists estimate the number of patients with Hepatitis B virus to be 1.4 million patients, some of whom are undiagnosed yet. No curative treatment has been developed yet for hepatitis B, as is the case for hepatitis C, so it is important to spread awareness on the disease to make an early diagnosis and protect those who are not infected.

Therefore, the availability of Tenofenamide® in Egypt is an opportunity for a large number of hepatitis B patients, as the drug reduces the viral load improving the state of the liver with much fewer side effects in comparison to its counterpart treatment. Also, it is an opportunity for hepatitis B patients whose bodies have acquired resistance against other drug classes while the bodies’ resistance against Tenofenamide® is almost zero which is considered the most appropriate option for geriatric patients and those suffering from kidney and bone problems.”

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EVA Group and Lilly enter into a partnership in Egypt

EVA Group signed a strategic partnership agreement with Lilly to import, sell, market, and distribute Lilly’s brands in Egypt

Cairo, December 10th, 2020 – EVA Group entered a successful strategic partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, a global healthcare leader and a significant contributor to the healthcare industry in the Egyptian market.

Under this partnership, EVA Group will be holding the rights to sell, market, and distribute Lilly’s products, mainly in the areas of Oncology, Diabetes, Central Nervous System (CNS), Musculoskeletal, Urology, and Autoimmune diseases. This partnership aims to increase healthcare professionals’ engagements and expand access to medicines to patients in Egypt who need them.

Riad Armanious, EVA Group Managing Director said: “The partnership between EVA Group and Lilly is a great milestone for both companies as well as Healthcare Providers and patients who need Lilly’s innovative therapies. At EVA we are looking forward to leveraging our capabilities and expertise around Egypt to bring Lilly’s innovative products to patients who need them. We are proud to be partnering with a Global Healthcare leader such as Lilly, and we will continue to expand our portfolio of products in both Egypt and international markets to advance treatment options for patients. This partnership today comes as a continuation of the multiple successes achieved by EVA in providing the latest medications in Egypt and around 40 countries around the world, including medicines for various chronic diseases.” In regards of distribution, Co-Managing Director of EVA Group, Linda Armanious, added: “With our in-depth knowledge of the local market and commercialization capabilities, we will expand the access of innovative healthcare in Egypt.”

Ahmed Fahmy, General Manager for Lilly North East Africa, added “For over 140 years, Lilly has been committed to our promise of uniting caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. Through our partnership with EVA Group, Lilly’s products will continue to be present in Egypt, fulfilling our promise and ensuring that our medicines are accessible to more patients in Egypt who need them.”

About EVA Group

EVA Group is one of the major multinational groups specialized in manufacturing and distributing pharmaceutical products, headquartering in Cairo, Egypt while operating in more than 40 countries and one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical groups in the MENA region. With a 5250-strong team of the most competent pharmaceutical professionals and state-of-the-art facilities, EVA Group is equipped with cutting-edge technology and is internationally recognized for innovation and the highest international quality standards. To learn more about EVA Group, please visit: https://www.evapharma.com/evagroup/

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. The company was founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today it remains true to that mission in all its work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

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EVA Pharma Launches its Immunity Booster Limitless Zinc® Tablets

Cairo, October 12, 2020 – EVA Pharma announces the launch of Limitless Zinc® tablets the newest member of its Limitless Naturals group of dietary supplements.

Limitless Zinc® is chelated zinc gluconate in 25 mg concentration which is easily absorbed and has no food or drug interactions. Limitless zinc supports a healthy immune system to defend against viruses and bacteria and promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails by supporting the body’s protein production and DNA formation. It also supports senses of smell, taste, and helps wounds heal.

“EVA Pharma is keen on covering all unmet patients’ needs to support their health and immunity through offering a variety of treatments,” said Dr. George Maher, global marketing director, “with a second spike of COVID19 wave approaching the world, the availability of such medications, vitamins, and minerals is considered a strong asset of the country’s efforts to combat the virus.”

Dr. Amgad El-Hadad, the consultant of allergy and immunology and head of the allergy and immunology center at the vaccination and immunization institute, pointed that “under ordinary circumstances zinc in foods as beans and nuts, almost 11 mg, is sufficient. But in such hard times like today, an adult needs a daily dose of 25 mg of zinc as prophylaxis to boost his/her immunity and 50 mg daily as part of the COVID-19 treatment protocol.”

“As part of the COVID19 treatment protocol, zinc plays an important role to inhibit the viral replication inside lung cells. Therefore zinc is recommended in prophylactic dose to prevent infection and activate the immune cells, while also advised for mild, moderate, severe or even carrier patients to boost their bodies’ immunity” explained Dr. Osama Abd El Latif, professor of allergy and immunology at Ain Shams University.

About EVA Pharma

EVA Pharma, one of the major multinational pharmaceutical companies headquartering in Cairo, Egypt, while operating in more than 40 countries and one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region. The company has partnerships with some of the leading international pharmaceutical names the world over and has a presence in 41 countries throughout the region. With a 3,000-strong team of some of the region’s most competent pharmaceutical professionals, EVA Pharma produces an average of 350,000 packs of more than 165 different drugs daily. Its state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology and are internationally recognized for innovation and the highest international quality standards.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approved Remdesivir as the only Treatment for COVID-19

Cairo, October 25, 2020 – EVA Pharma announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the antiviral drug Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization.

Remdesivir had become now the first and only FDA-Approved treatment for COVID-19, as it was previously authorized by the FDA for emergency use to treat adult and pediatric hospitalized mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 patients. The drug is now widely available in many countries as it is manufactured by EVA Pharma, a licensed manufacturer for Remdesivir-EVA Pharma according to an agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc. The agreement provides EVA Pharma with Gilead’s technology as well as manufacturing specifications and methods to accelerate the timeline of the production as soon as possible to export to 127 countries including Egypt.

As an antiviral drug, Remdesivir inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The drug was investigated in three randomized control trials which showed clinically meaningful improvements with hospitalized COVID-19 patients as it shortened recovery time by five days.

Remdesivir has shown great results according to a clinical trial conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases investigating 1062 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The study showed the median time to recovery was 10 days for the Remdesivir group compared to 15 days for the placebo group. Other trials have revealed a reduced “mortality rate” when patients are treated with Remdesivir.

“The results of Remdesivir use in Egypt match the global results,” said Dr. Hossam Hosny, head of the Anti-Coronavirus Scientific Committee at the Ministry of Health and Population, as he anticipated the expand in Remdesivir use last September in a scientific conference attended by Minister of Health Dr. Hala Zayed, and presidential advisor for health affairs, Dr. Mohamed Awad Tag El-Den.

About EVA Pharma

EVA Pharma, one of the major multinational pharmaceutical companies headquartering in Cairo, Egypt while operating in more than 40 countries and one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region. The company has partnerships with some of the leading international pharmaceutical names the world over and has a presence in 42 countries throughout the region. With a 3,000-strong team of some of the region’s most competent pharmaceutical professionals, EVA Pharma produces an average of 350,000 packs of more than 165 different drugs daily. Its state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology and are internationally recognized for innovation and the highest international quality standards.

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EVA Pharma Launches the First Egyptian Generic for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Diaflozimet® Tablets

Cairo, October 12, 2020 – EVA Pharma announced the launch of Diaflozimet® tablets after having received approval from the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA). Diaflozimet® is the first Egyptian generic that contains (dapagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride extended-release), which is indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug combines two anti-hyperglycemic agents with complementary mechanisms of action, dapagliflozin, an inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), and metformin hydrochloride (HCl) extended-release, a biguanide, is a once-daily oral tablet. According to clinical studies, the combination is proven effective in rapidly controlling blood glucose levels with a 3% reduction of HbA1C, up to 3.3Kg weight reduction, blood pressure reduction and protecting the kidney, heart, blood vessels and liver against diabetes complications.

This is a very promising treatment from many aspects” said Dr. Abbas Oraby, professor of endocrinology and member of the National Committee for Endocrinology and Diabetes of the Ministry of Health and Population. “SGLT2 inhibitors release glucose from the body via the kidneys; in addition to recent studies proving its effectiveness in improving heart and kidney functions which is vital for diabetic patients since 50% of renal dialysis patients are diabetic. While metformin improves cardiac functions by 15% in addition to its abilities to lower blood glucose levels and to inhibit liver cirrhosis and the deterioration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Thus the combination of both active ingredients supports a more personalized approach to disease management, as it reduces the number of pills the diabetic patients need to take leading to better compliance. Also, as EVA Pharma is producing Diaflozimet® in four concentrations, the physician has the choice of more personalized doses to his patients.”

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