Biocon Ltd, Asia's premier biotechnology company, introduces an advanced novel therapy CIMIVIR-L™ for the treatment of Hepatitis C in India. CIMIVIR-L™ is a fixed dose combination of Ledipasvir 90 mg and Sofosbuvir 400 mg, which is an equivalent of the innovator product commercialized by Gilead Sciences in the US.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) recently approved the sale of Sofosbuvir-Ledipasvir combination, which is being manufactured in India under a license from Gilead.
CIMIVIR-L™, a once-a-day oral therapy, will offer a convenient, effective and safe alternative to people infected with the Hepatitis-C virus (HCV). It is estimated that nearly one lakh people die annually in India from HCV infection and co-morbidities. CIMIVIR-L™ is indicated for Hepatitis-C Genotype 1 patients who account for ~25% of the total estimated HCV patient population of 18 million in the country.
CIMIVIR-L™ will be made available to patients in India at a fraction of the global cost of the innovator brand. The cost of a 12-week course of this combination therapy in the US is $94,500, (~ Rs 63 lakhs).
In keeping with its commitment to introduce innovative therapies at an affordable price to patients, Biocon had entered into a licensing agreement last year with US-based Gilead to manufacture and commercialize its chronic Hepatitis-C blockbuster product range, Sofosbuvir and Sofosbuvir-Ledipasvir combination in India and in select emerging markets. These territories account for more than 50% of the global Hepatitis C prevalence.
Commenting on the launch, Ravi Limaye, President - Marketing, Biocon said: "The introduction of CIMIVIR-L™ will strengthen Biocon’s current portfolio of Virology products. It furthers our commitment to offer affordable therapy for unmet patient needs in debilitating and life-threatening conditions. Through our patient support program we aim to create awareness on HCV to improve diagnosis and ensure better therapy compliance through patient education.”
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes liver inflammation leading to diminished liver function or liver failure. It is referred to as a “silent epidemic” as most people infected with HCV have no symptoms of the disease until liver damage becomes apparent, which may take decades. Chronic HCV infection could lead to scarring and poor liver function (cirrhosis) over many years, resulting in complications such as bleeding, jaundice, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, infections and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C is a global public health concern and lack of disease awareness and unavailability of treatment options are the main factors limiting disease management in developing economies like India.
Previous treatment regimens for Hepatitis-C Genotype 1 often involved multiple separate medicines and complicated dosing, which were largely difficult to tolerate.
A once-a-day pill treatment, CIMIVIR-L™ not only offers convenience but also better cure rates and patient tolerance compared to existing therapies. Clinical studies by the innovator on a wide range of chronic HCV patients have shown that the Sofosbuvir - Ledipasvir combination therapy resulted in very high cure rates ranging from 94% - 99%*. ( see notes to the editor)
Biocon, which had launched CIMIVIR™ (Sofosbuvir) earlier in 2015, has been working towards raising awareness about HCV in India and improving diagnosis of the disease in the country.
