Biocon launches Hepatitis C drug under license from Gilead

Biopharma co says the drug will cost a fraction of its imported cost of Rs 63 lakh

Biopharma firm Biocon on Thursday said it had launched a drug to treat Hepatitis C, in India. It is manufactured it under license from Gilead. This costs a fraction of imported drugs. Biocon said the product CIMIVIR-L is a fixed dose combination of Ledipasvir 90 mg and Sofosbuvir 400 mg, which is an equivalent of the innovator product commercialised by Gilead Sciences in the US.

An imported drug cost Rs 6.3 million. While Biocon's locally produced Hepatitis C drug would cost a fraction of it, the firm said. But they did not disclose the local costs.

“The introduction of CIMIVIR-L will strengthen Biocon’s current portfolio of Virology products. Through our patient support program we aim to create awarenesson HCV to improve diagnosis and ensure better therapy compliance through patient education,” Ravi Limaye, President ,Marketing in Biocon said in the statement.