Ranbaxy, Gilead Sciences ink in-licensing pact to promote access to less costly HIV drugs

Gurgaon, Aug.3 (ANI): Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy) announced today that it has entered into an in-licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to promote access to high-quality, low-cost generic versions of Gilead's HIV medicine Emtricitabine (FTC) in developing countries - including single tablet regimens containing Emtricitabine, and fixed-dose combinations of Emtricitabine co-formulated with other Gilead HIV medicines.

Under the new agreements, Gilead will provide a technology transfer for the manufacture of Emtricitabine, together with funding to assist with investment in process improvements to reduce manufacturing costs.

World Health Organization guidelines recommend Emtricitabine, as well as Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF), as preferred components of first- and second-line HIV therapy.

However, cost is currently a barrier to broadening access to regimens that include Emtricitabine when compared to other regimens, including widely used Lamivudine (3TC)-based regimens.

The new agreements will, therefore, enable Ranbaxy to produce high volumes of FTC/TDF based therapies, thereby establishing sustainable price parity to alternative regimens.

Commenting on the agreement, Arun Sawhney, CEO and Managing Director, Ranbaxy, said, "Ranbaxy and Gilead have a strong collaboration going in the area of HIV/AIDS. We are pleased to extend this association with Gilead that will enable us to offer quality, affordable medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the developing countries."

Emtricitabine is marketed by Gilead under the brand name Emtriva, and a fixed-dose combination of Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate is made available under the brand name Truvada.

Emtricitabine is also an essential component of the Quad, an investigational treatment that combines four Gilead medicines in a once-daily, single tablet regimen for the treatment of HIV.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, India's largest pharmaceutical company, is an integrated, research based, international pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic medicines, trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies. (ANI)