Biocon Introduces therapy for Hepatitis-C in India
The 12-week treatment course will cost about $94,000 in the US, about Rs.63 lakh in IndiaBiocon Ltd. on Thursday announced that it has introduced an advanced novel therapy CIMIVIR-L for the treatment of Hepatitis C in India. “The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) recently approved the sale of Sofosbuvir - Ledipasvir combination, which is being manufactured in India under a license from Gilead,” Biocon Ltd. said in an announcement. A combination of Ledipasvir 90 mg and Sofosbuvir 400 mg, CIMIVIR-L, is once-a-day oral therapy useful for people infected with the Hepatitis – C Virus (HCV). The therapy is indicted for Hepatitis – C Genotype 1 patients who account for about 25% of the total estimated HCV population of nearly 18 million patients in the country. CIMIVIR-L will be available in India at a fraction of the global cost of the innovator brand. The 12-week treatment course will cost about $94,000 in the US, about Rs.63 lakh in India. In 2014, Biocon had entered into a licensing agreement with Gilead - a US-based biotechnology company – to manufacture and commercialise its chronic Hepatitis-C product range. It is believed that about one lakh people die of HCV infection and co-morbidities in India each year. “The introduction of CIMIVIR-L will strengthen Biocon’s current portfolio of Virology products. It furthers our commitment to offer affordable therapy of unmet patient needs in debilitating and life-threatening conditions,” said Ravi Limaye, President – marketing, Biocon Ltd.
December 24, 2015 | 12:55pm IST
to success.