Cipla Launches Hepcvir-L For HepC Genotype 1 Patients

Hepcvir-L will be provided to patients in India at the fraction of the cost of branded Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir under a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc.

AsianScientist (Jan. 4, 2016) – Cipla Ltd, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in India, has launched the generic drug Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir in India under the brand name Hepcvir-L.

Hepcvir-L is the first once-a-day, fixed-dose oral combination therapy that has been approved for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 patients. Based on a generic version of Gilead Sciences Inc’s Harvoni tablets, Hepcvir-L will be sold in India at Rs 25,000 (~US$377) for a bottle of 28 tablets. In contrast, an equivalent course of treatment with Harvoni costs US$31,500 in the US.

The introduction of the Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir fixed-dose oral combination provides a new interferon and ribavirin-free treatment option to patients and is a powerful weapon to fight against genotype 1 hepatitis C virus.

Commenting on the launch of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir, Mr. Subhanu Saxena, MD & Global CEO of Cipla Limited said, “Cipla has always tried to provide best-in-class affordable medicines to patients and the launch of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir is a further step to facilitate the optimal treatment for patients suffering from genotype 1 hepatitis C virus.”

Globally, the burden of hepatitis C is around 185 million. About 12-18 million Indians are infected with this disease. It has been observed that three out of four hepatitis C affected people are unaware of the infection as this disease does not have any specific symptoms.

To create awareness among the population and to cater to existing patients, Cipla has launched a patient support program called ACT-C (A=Awareness, C= Counselling, T = Treatment of hepatitis –C). The initiative aims to create awareness of hepatitis C and to reach out to those affected patients. Cipla has also launched a website which is a one stop solution for all the information on hepatitis C.

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Source: Cipla.
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