Dr Reddy's partners Hetero to sell Hepatitis C drug in India

Drug to be sold under Resof brand; Company says diagnosis rates for Hepatitis C in India abysmally low

Pharmaceutical major Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited has entered into an agreement with Hetero Drugs, also from Hyderabad, under which Dr Reddy's has been licenced to distribute and market Sofosbuvir tablets in 400 mg strength in India.

The drug, to be sold under the Resof brand, is indicated for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C.

With the diagnosis rates for Hepatitis C in India being abysmally low, Dr Reddy's will make a significant difference in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, Dr Reddy's said in a filing to the exchanges on Monday.

Early this month, Hetero has received approval for generic Sofosbuvir 400 mg tablets from Drug Controller General of India.

The company has a non-exclusive licence agreement with Irish firm Gilead Sciences to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic Hepatitis C medicines in 91 developing countries.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), close to 12 million Indians suffer from chronic Hepatitis C, a disease that can seriously affect the liver, leading to potentially life-threatening complications, including cancer of the liver.

"Clinical studies have indicated that Sofosbuvir 400 mg, in combination with other agents, achieved very high cure rates, while shortening the duration of the treatment to as little as 12 weeks and reducing or completely eliminating the need for interferon injections, depending on the viral genotype," Dr Reddy's said.

"The launch of Resof is in line with Dr Reddy's philosophy of 'innovative medicine at an affordable price' and will provide significant relief to patients, resulting in potential cure and a high barrier to resistance at an affordable price for those living with Hepatitis C," said GV Prasad, co-chairman of Dr Reddy's.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited's scrip ended the trade at Rs 3,448.25 on the BSE on Monday, up 0.56 per cent, over the previous close of Rs 3,428.95 a share.