30 December 2021

BEXIMCO PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.

Beximco Pharma introduces world's first generic version of Pfizer's Paxlovid, the first US FDA approved oral therapy for COVID-19 treatment

Availability of generic nirmatrelvir and ritonavir will provide affordable treatment option and increase accessibility as new variants emerge

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited ("Beximco Pharma", "BPL" or "the Company"), the fast-growing manufacturer of generic pharmaceutical products and active pharmaceutical ingredients, today announces the launch of the world's first generic version of Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) which was granted emergency use authorization (EUA) by the US FDA on 22 December 2021. Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), Bangladesh, has today granted EUA for the oral antiviral drug to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children of 12 years and above. This novel antiviral pill showed almost 90% efficacy in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients, and recent data from Pfizer suggests the drug retains its effectiveness against the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Beximco Pharma will market this product under the brand name Bexovid, initially in Bangladesh.

Nirmatrelvir inhibits a SARS-CoV-2 enzyme to stop the virus from replicating, and ritonavir slows down nirmatrelvir's breakdown to help it remain in the body for a longer period at higher concentrations. The treatment is given as two tablets of nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir together twice a day for five days. Bexovid is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset.

Mr. Nazmul Hassan MP, Managing Director of Beximco Pharmaceuticals, commented: "Having previously introduced the world's first generic COVID-19 treatments of remdesivir and molnupiravir, we are pleased to add this breakthrough therapy to our portfolio. It is further testament to our commitment to making affordable treatments accessible as soon as possible. As data continues to emerge demonstrating the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir against the the fast-emerging Omicron variant, we believe that Bexovid has the potential to be a powerful tool in combating the ongoing pandemic."

For further information please visit www.beximcopharma.com or enquire to:

Beximco Pharma

Nazmul Hassan MP, Managing Director

Tel: +880 2 58611001, ext.20080

S M Rabbur Reza, Chief Operating Officer

Tel: +880 2 58611001, ext. 20111

Mohammad Ali Nawaz, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +880 2 58611001, ext.20030

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser)
Mark Brady / Andrew Emmott

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3368 3551 / 3555

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Broker)

Vadim Alexandre / Abigail Wayne

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470

FTI Consulting

Simon Conway / Victoria Foster Mitchell

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Notes to Editors

About Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited

Beximco Pharma is a leading manufacturer and exporter of medicines based in Bangladesh. Since its inception in 1976, the Company remains committed to health and wellbeing of people across all the continents by providing access to contemporary medicines. Company's broad portfolio of generics encompasses diverse delivery systems such as tablets, capsules, liquids, semi-solids, intravenous fluids, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, sterile ophthalmic drops, insulins, prefilled syringes, injectables, nebuliser solutions, oral soluble films etc. The Company also undertakes contract manufacturing for multinational and leading global generic pharmaceutical companies.

Beximco Pharma′s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are certified by global regulatory authorities of USA, Europe, Australia, Canada, GCC and Latin America, among others and it has a geographic footprint in more than 50 countries. More than 5,500 employees are driving the company towards achieving its aspiration to be among the most admired companies in the world.