Aptus Therapeutics, a start-up at University of Hyderabad's ASPIRE-TBI, focusing on synthetic chemistry and chemo enzymatic chemistry, has developed novel and innovative methods for manufacturing of Favipiravir, an antiviral drug being used for treatment of COVID-19.

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The start-up says that the developed synthetic process technology is cost-effective and eco-friendly as it uses less solvents and easy to isolate the target molecule in large quantities. The firm has successfully developed and validated the technology for commercial bulk production. For this, Aptus Therapeutics has associated with Fleming Laboratories, Hyderabad for bulk production and currently has made an agreement with a Russian firm to supply it in large quantities.

Aptus has also developed another commercially potential natural therapeutic molecule "FL-09", a cholesterol lowering drug using green chemistry methodologies. The start-up developed this technology at ASPIRE-TBI, UoH and it has reached the commercialisation stage. Dr Prakash from Fleming Laboratories and Dr Koti Reddy from Aptus Therapeutics exchanged the MoU on November 20 in the presence of varsity Vice Chancellor Prof Appa Rao Podile and other officials of the university. The expected turnover of these technologies is over Rs 50 crore.

Expressing his happiness at the success of the Aptus Therapeutics, the Vice Chancellor said that it is a historical moment for University of Hyderabad incubation centre ASPIRE-TBI which has nurtured Aptus Therapeutics in developing new technologies. "The developed process technology is very cost effective, eco-friendly and which is beneficial to all. "I am sure that many of the start-ups associated at UoH have potential to make it big in future and will benefit the society at large," he added.

Prof G.S. Prasad, Director RITE, Prof Lalitha Guruprasad, Coordinator ASPIRE-TBI, Prof D. Yogeswara Rao Director ASPIRE, Prof. S. Rajagopal Coordinator ASPIRE-BioNEST and others were present.