Biocon Introduces CIMIVIR-L To Treat Hepatitis-C In India
24 December, Bengaluru
Pharma major Biocon Ltd Thursday announced theintroduction of a novel therapy CIMIVIR-L, for treatment ofHepatitis C in India.
The new drug is a fixed dose combination of Ledipasvir 90 mg andSofosbuvir 400 mg, which is an equivalent of the innovator productcommercialised by Gilead Sciences in the US.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) recently approvedthe sale of Sofosbuvir-Ledipasvir combination, which is beingmanufactured in India under a license from Gilead, according to arelease here.
CIMIVIR-L is a once-a-day oral therapy, that offer a convenient,effective and safe alternative to people infected with theHepatitis-C virus (HCV).
It is estimated that nearly one lakh people die annually in Indiafrom HCV infection and co-morbidities. The drug is indicated forHepatitis-C Genotype 1 patients who account for over 25 per cent ofthe total estimated HCV patient population of 18 million in the country.
CIMIVIR-L will be made available to patients in India at afraction of the global cost of the innovator brand. The cost of a12-week course of this combination therapy in the US is about 94,500dollars or Rs 63 lakhs.
In keeping with its commitment to introduce innovative therapiesat an affordable price to patients, Biocon had entered into alicensing agreement last year with US-based Gilead to manufactureand commercialise its chronic Hepatitis-C product range, Sofosbuvirand Sofosbuvir-Ledipasvir combination in India and in selectemerging markets.
These territories account for more than 50 per cent of the globalHepatitis C prevalence.
Commenting on the launch, Ravi Limaye, President – Marketing,Biocon said the introduction of CIMIVIR-L would strengthen Bioconscurrent portfolio of Virology products.
It furthers our commitment to offer affordable therapy for unmetpatient needs in debilitating and life-threatening conditions.”Through our patient support program we aim to create awareness onHCV to improve diagnosis and ensure better therapy compliancethrough patient education,” he said.
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes liver inflammationleading to diminished liver function or liver failure. It isreferred to as a ‘silent epidemic’ as most people infected with HCVhave no symptoms of the disease until liver damage becomes apparent,which may take decades.
Chronic HCV infection could lead to scarringand poor liver function (cirrhosis) over many years, resulting incomplications such as bleeding, jaundice, fluid accumulation in theabdomen, infections and liver cancer. It is a global public health concern and lack of disease awarenessand unavailability of treatment options are the mainfactors limiting disease management in developing economies like India.
Previous treatment regimens for Hepatitis-C Genotype 1 ofteninvolved multiple separate medicines and complicated dosing, whichwere largely difficult to tolerate.