NEW DELHI: Drug major Cipla today announced the launch of generic drug Sofosbuvir for treating chronic Hepatitis C under the brand name 'Hepcvir', in India.
"Following the non-exclusive licensing agreement signed with Gilead Sciences in September last year to manufacture and market chronic Hepatitis C medicines, Cipla is now all set to make the drug Sofosbuvir available to Indian patients in a week's time," the company said in a statement.
"Cipla has always brought accessible and affordable medicines to fight against diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis B; hence, Cipla has made it a priority to bring Hepcvir to patients in India as well as the other developing nations," Cipla MD & Global CEO Subhanu Saxena said.
The availability of product in other markets is subject to approvals from the regulatory authorities in respective countries, Cipla said.
"Sofusbuvir marks a new era of medicines in oral treatment of Hepatitis C which reduce the need for injectables," Cipla Chief Medical Officer Jaideep Gogtay said.
In India alone, around 12-18 million patients are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis C which is several fold greater than those with HIV/AIDS, Cipla said.
Shares of Cipla were trading at Rs 708.60 per scrip, down 0.18 per cent, on the BSE.
Earlier this week, another pharmaceutical firm Dr Reddy's entered into an agreement with Hetero to distribute and market generic version of US-firm Gilead Sciences' Hepatitis C drug under the brand 'Resof' in India.