Cipla Limited, has launched the generic drug, sofosbuvir in India, under the brand name Hepcvir. Sofosbuvir is the active ingredient in Gilead’s top-selling drug to treat hepatitis C virus infection. In 2014, Cipla was one of seven Indian-based generic-drug companies in India with whom Gilead Sciences signed an non-exclusive licensing agreement to manufacture and market hepatitis C medicines for developing countries.

The agreement, announced in September 2014, allows Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Cipla Ltd., Hetero Labs Ltd., Mylan Laboratories Ltd., Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., Sequent Scientific Ltd. and Strides Arcolab Ltd., to manufacture sofosbuvir and the single tablet regimen of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, Gilead’s combination therapy for HCV infection, for distribution in 91 developing countries.

The countries within the agreement account for more than 100 million people living with hepatitis C, representing 54% of the total global infected population.

Source: Cipla