Natco enters licensing agreement with Brystol-Myers Squib

Daclatasvir is the first-in-class NS5A inhibitor used in combination with Sofosbuvir drug

Natco Pharma announced today that it has signed a non-exclusive, royalty free licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool and Bristol-Myers Squibb to manufacture and sell generic versions of the latter's chronic hepatitis C medicine -Daclatasvir Dihydrochloride.

Daclatasvir, discovered and developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is the first-in-class NS5A inhibitor used in combination with Sofosbuvir drug for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection, according to a company press release.

Natco will market generic Daclatasvir under its own brand Natdac, and through its strategic partners in India, it said.

Earlier, in the day, Natco Pharma had surged 7% to Rs 544 on the BSE after the company announced the deal.