Gilead

US-based Gilead Sciences has signed non-exclusive licensing agreements with seven India-based generic pharmaceutical firms to expand the availability of its chronic hepatitis C medicines in 91 developing countries.

Under the deals, Cadila Healthcare, Cipla, Hetero Labs, Mylan Laboratories, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Sequent Scientific and Strides Arcolab will manufacture sofosbuvir and the investigational single tablet regimen of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.

Gilead Sciences corporate and medical affairs executive vice-president Gregg Alton said: "Hepatitis C is a significant public health issue worldwide, and Gilead is working to make its chronic hepatitis C medicines accessible to as many patients, in as many places, as quickly as possible.

"In developing countries, large-volume generic manufacturing and distribution is widely regarded as a key component in expanding access to medicines. These agreements are essential to advancing the goals of our humanitarian programme in these countries."

"Gilead is working to make its chronic hepatitis C medicines accessible to as many patients as quickly as possible."

The licencing agreements will allow the Indian companies to receive a complete technology transfer from Gilead, related to the products.

Licensees have been provided with the flexibility to set their own prices for the generic product, which they produce. Royalty will be paid to Gilead, based on sales of the product.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In addition, the licences will allow the companies to produce sofosbuvir or ledipasvir in combination with other chronic hepatitis C medicines.

In December 2013, Sofosbuvir received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, while the European Commission approved the product in January.

According to Gilead, around 100 million people are suffering with hepatitis C in the countries within the agreement, which is around 54% of the total global infected population.


Image: Electron micrographs of hepatitis C virus purified from cell culture. Photo: courtesy of Maria Teresa Catanese, Martina Kopp, Kunihiro Uryu, and Charles Rice.