Strides Arcolab launches generic version of Sofosbuvir

NEW DELHI: Strides Arcolab today announced launch of the generic version of Hepatitis C drug 'Sofosbuvir' under the brand name 'Virso'.

The product will be available to Indian patients shortly, the Bangalore-based company said in a statement.

"In September 2014, Strides entered into a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to bring Hepatitis C cure to 91 developing countries," Strides Arcolab said in a statement.

Commenting on the development Strides Arcolab CEO-Pharma Mohan Kumar said: "We are pleased to announce this launch in partnership with Gilead Sciences, which is a big leap in our commitment towards bringing critical healthcare at affordable cost."

He added that its launch in other markets would be subject to approvals from regulatory authorities in respective countries.

Sofosbuvir has high potency, high barrier to resistance, pan genotypic activity, once-daily dosage, good safety profile and the limited drug-drug interactions, which makes it a breakthrough drug in Hepatitis C treatment.

This drug in combination therapy has shown to have high cure rates of around 90 per cent, Strides Arcolab said.