Pharmaceutical major Roche India on Monday announced that it has launched the first batch of antibody cocktail against COVID-19 in the country.

The antibody cocktail, combining Casirivimab and Imdevimab, has been priced at ₹ 59,750 per dose.

Roche's antibody cocktail was given to former US President Donald Trump when he tested positive COVID-19 last year.

In a statement, the company said: "Each of the 1,200 mg dose of the drug contains 600 mg of Casirivimab and 600 mg of Imdevimab. The price of each dose will be ₹ 59,750. The maximum retail price for the multi-dose pack will be ₹ 1,19,500. Notably, each pack can treat two patients."

The drug will be marketed in India by Cipla and the second batch will be made available by mid-June.

"The first batch of the antibody cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) is now available in India while a second batch will be made available by mid-June. In total they can potentially benefit two lakh patients as each of the one lakh packs that will be available in India offers treatment for two patients," according to a joint statement issued by Cipla and Roche.

The drug will be made available through leading hospitals and COVID treatment centre in India.

The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) had recently provided an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for the antibody cocktail's use in India.