Natco, Gilead sign non-exclusive deal for hepatitis C drugs

The deal allows Natco to expand access to these drugs in 91 developing countries

Drug firm Natco Pharma has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic hepatitis C medicines.

In a BSE filing, Natco Pharma said "it has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic hepatitis C medicines."

This agreement allows Natco to expand access to these chronic hepatitis C medicines in 91 developing countries, the company added.

Elaborating on the agreement, Natco said: "Under the license, Natco can set its own price for the generic products it produces, paying a royalty on sales to Gilead to support product registrations, medical education and training, safety monitoring and other essential business activities."

The medicines include sofosbuvir (Sovaldi), ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and the investigational NS5A inhibitor GS-5816, which is being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical studies as part of a single tablet regimen that combines the compound and sofosbuvir for the treatment of all six genotypes of hepatitis C, the company said.

Natco Pharma shares were trading 4.11 per cent up at Rs 1,425 apiece during afternoon session on the BSE.