Cipla launches generic hepatitis C drug in India

Drug major Cipla has launched generic tablets used for treating of hepatitis C under the brand name 'Hepcvir-L' costing Rs 25,000 for a bottle of 28 tablets in India.

Cipla MD and Global Chief Executive Officer Subhanu Saxena said, "The launch of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir is a further step to facilitate the optimal treatment for patients suffering from genotype 1 hepatitis C virus."

The company's product is a generic version of the S-based drug maker Gilead Sciences Inc's Harvoni tablets.

"Globally, the burden of Hepatitis C is around 185 million. About 12-18 million Indians are infected with this disease," it added.

Hepcvir-L is the first once-a-day, fixed dose oral combination therapy that has been approved for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients, Cipla said.

The company's current portfolio includes over 1,500 products across therapeutic categories.

Cipla was trading at Rs 646.15, up 0.62%, on the BSE.