Most roads led to India in 2020 when it came to deals to expand access to COVID-19 therapies, but the challenging year also saw significant private equity interest and there are expectations of more action ahead in the new year.

The WHO’s new "living guideline" against remdesivir’s use in hospitalized patients notwithstanding, some key opinion leaders in India see a role for the antiviral, but underscore that COVID-19 is still in its infancy and all repurposed therapies for the disease still have a long way to go. They also see the US remdesivir studies as more robust.

With the impact of pandemic-prompted disturbances waning, analysts forecast better Q2 numbers for Indian pharma firms, with some including Glenmark and Cipla seen emerging winners. But after doing well in the quarter, Gilead’s licensees might see remdesivir demand tapering somewhat in Q3 post the WHO finding the antiviral ineffective in COVID-19 treatment.