Strides inks pact with Gilead Sciences for HIV drug

The licence to manufacture Gilead's low-cost drug extends to 112 countries

Pharma major Strides Arcolab has entered into a licensing agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and distribute latter's low-cost Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) product used for HIV treatment in developing countries.

In a BSE filing, Strides Arcolab said, "It has entered into a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc under which Gilead has extended non-exclusive rights to Strides to manufacture and distribute Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF), both as a single agent product and in combination with other drugs."

Strides said that the license being granted to it extends to 112 countries.

"As a part of the licensing agreement, pending US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval of Gilead product, Strides will receive technology transfer from Gilead, enabling Strides to manufacture low cost versions of TAF for developing countries," the company added.

TAF and TAF-based regimens are investigational products i

Strides-Arcolab

n the US and have not yet been determined safe and efficacious in humans.

Shares of Strides Arcolab were trading at Rs 942 apiece on the BSE, up 1.68 per cent from the previous close.