Strides, Gilead in anti-viral pact

Strides Arcolab, the Bangalore-based exporters of branded generic pharmaceutical products, said it has signed a non-exclusive licence and technical transfer agreement with US-based bio-pharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences.

Arun Kumar, vice-chairman and group CEO of Strides Arcolab, said the agreement will enable Strides to manufacture and distribute generic versions of Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) in key markets.

"This agreement also allows us to manufacture and distribute a new generation first line therapy in over 90 countries under the Gilead Access Program," he added.

Strides is among the largest manufacturers of ARV drugs in the country and has a range of products approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The company has received a tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for generic Nevirapine tablets.

Several other ARV dossiers of the company are under evaluation by USFDA.

The company is also partnering the Clinton Foundation to ensure the availability of affordable quality generic ARVs in the least developed countries.