Gilead inks deals with 3 Indian cos for low-cost HIV drug

New Delhi: Drug major Gilead Sciences has signed deals with three Indian firms, including Ranbaxy Laboratories, to collaborate on promoting access to low-cost generic versions of its HIV medicine emtricitabine in developing countries.

Under the new agreements with Indian companies -- Ranbaxy, Strides Arcolab and Mylan Laboratories, "Gilead will provide a technology and funding to assist reduce overall manufacturing costs," a company statement said today.

The partnership will help the Indian firms to manufacture high volumes of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based HIV medicines, establishing sustainable price parity to these alternative regimens, the world`s biggest maker of HIV drugs said.

"Ongoing collaboration (with Indian companies) will be critical for furthering access to affordable, high-quality, first-line HIV treatment for developing countries," Gilead`s Chairman and CEO John C Martin said.

More than 2.7 million patients living with HIV in developing countries are currently receiving a TDF-containing regimen, a medicine innovated by Gilead and subsequently licenced to Indian generic partners to increase global access to effective treatment, he said.

Ranbaxy Laboratories CEO and Managing Director, Arun Sawhney said: "This association with Gilead will enable us to offer quality affordable medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in developing countries".

California-based Gilead sells emtricitabine under the brand name Emtriva.

PTI

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