A novel oral treatment regimen for patients suffering from Hepatitis C
Zydus group has launched SoviHep, which will provide succour to more than 10 million patients who suffer from Hepatitis C in India. The therapy will be marketed by the speciality division of the group, Zydus Heptiza. Zydus and Gilead Sciences had signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement which will allow the manufacture of sofosbuvir and the fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir/ sofosbuvir for distribution in 91 countries including India.
The launch of SoviHep will take care of all current treatment needs of PAN-genotypic activity, with barrier to resistance, potent with convenience and compliance therapy. The current Hepatitis Genotype prevalence landscape in India is Genotype 3: 64 per cent; Genotype 1: 26 per cent and Genotype 4 & 6: 10 per cent. SoviHep is an effective therapy for all the above genotypes. Additionally, SoviHep can also be used in combination with ribavirin (RibaHep) for treatment of chronic Hepatitis C patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation for up to 48 weeks or until liver transplantation to prevent post-transplant HCV infection.
Pankaj R Patel, Chairman and Managing Director, Zydus group, said, “Innovations in healthcare have made it possible to deliver better therapy outcomes and improve quality of lives. We are happy to partner with Gilead Sciences to make this breakthrough therapy accessible to patients of Hepatitis C in India. It bridges a longstanding unmet healthcare need. It also underlines our mission of providing access to new, affordable therapies and we stand committed to this.”
Zydus Heptiza, a speciality division of the group has a complete basket of brands for Hepatitis B & C. The addition of SoviHep shall complete this critical care portfolio which offers the advantages of quality, globally accessed, preferred treatment options at affordable prices.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai