Natco inks licensing agreement with US-based Gilead for hepatitis C drugs

Natco Pharma Limited has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences, to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic hepatitis C medicines. The medicines include sofosbuvir, 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.
 
This agreement allows Natco to expand access to these chronic hepatitis C medicines in 91 developing countries. 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.