Mylan launches generic Hepatitis C drug in India

Drug firm Mylan NV has launched generic Harvoni tablets, used to treat Hepatitis C, under the brand name 'MyHep LVIR' in India.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the company has launched generic Harvoni in the country, Mylan NV said in a statement.

"Mylan recognises the urgent need to expand access to high quality, affordable Hepatitis C treatment options in India, where roughly 12 million people are infected with the virus," Mylan President Rajiv Malik said.

MyHep LVIR is an important addition to the company's growing Hepato Care segment in India that gives it an opportunity to offer patients the potential to be cured through a transformative and simplified single tablet, once- daily treatment regimen, he added.

The launch of MyHep LVIR follows the launch of generic Sofosbuvir in India under the brand name MyHep in April, 2015.

In September 2014, Mylan entered into a licensing and technology transfer agreement with Gilead that granted the former non-exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute generic Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir tablets in 101 developing countries, including India.

Mylan also entered into an agreement with Gilead in February 2015, as the exclusive distributor of Gilead's branded Sovaldi (Sofosbuvir 400 mg) and Harvoni tablets in India.

Mylan launched Sovaldi in India in May 2015.

There are around 12 million people who are chronically infected with Hepatitis C in India. MyHep LVIR is a single-tablet regimen and requires a therapy course of just 12 weeks.