The International Finance Corporation on Tuesday said Mumbai-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has become the first Indian drug-maker to get a $40-million (about ₹290 crore) credit-line from its the former’s $8-billion fast-track Covid-19 facility.

The loan to Glenmark will help it increase the availability of affordable, quality medicines in the country as well in other countries, including treatment for the pandemic.

The World Bank Group lender said the $40-million loan is under its $8-billion fast-track Covid-19 facility and will help the company boost its generic drug production capacity in general and respiratory drugs in particular.

IFC’s partnership with Glenmark began in 2016, supporting its expansion and growing its research and development capacities.

“We are proud to partner with Glenmark once again towards an inclusive and resilient recovery,” the lender said.

A Glenmark spokesperson said that with the credit-line, the company will be able to work with the IFC to help improve access to life-saving drugs, as this investment will help the pharma company improve the production of quality, and offer low-cost medicines to the needy.

Glenmark produces generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients, which have applications in oncology, cardiology, and dermatology, as well as respiratory illnesses.

“Our Covid-19 response, in India and globally, aligns with our continued focus on healthcare, and commitment to respond effectively to an unprecedented crisis. One of our priorities here is to support the nation’s efforts to close development gaps,” said Jun Zhang, IFC India country head.

Supporting Glenmark will contribute to a competitive market, creating jobs and driving growth post-pandemic, Jun added.

In June 2016, IFC had invested $75 million in Glenmark’s foreign currency convertible bonds to finance the company’s expansion and help grow its R&D capacity.

The latest investment is part of IFC’s ongoing work to help countries build back better from the pandemic, including its global health platform that supports improved access to critical healthcare supplies, services, and medicines in developing countries.

BioE partnership

In December 2020, IFC had extended a $30-million loan to Hyderabad-based vaccine maker Biological E (BioE) to help it expand access to low-cost vaccines for children in developing countries and also help increase the production of a Covid-19 vaccine when developed. But this funding was not from IFC’s Covid credit line.

BioE, which has been getting IFC loans since 2017, primarily supplies its vaccines to developing countries through Unicef and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It has immunised over 2 billion children around the world, the IFC statement said.

BioE produces more than 500 million doses of paediatric vaccines annually and being supplied to more than 130 countries every year.

IFC is the largest global development institution focussed on the private sector in emerging markets, working in over 100 countries. In fiscal 2020, it invested $22 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.

Glenmark is a global research-led pharma maker with a presence across generics, speciality and OTC businesses with operations in over 50 countries. Its key therapy focus areas are respiratory, dermatology and oncology.

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