Natco launches hepatitis C drug Velpanat in Nepal

Natco Pharma Limited has launched Velpanat – a fixed dose combination medicine containing sofosbuvir (400 mg) velpatasvir (100 mg) – for the treatment of hepatitis C in Nepal. It is the first generic version of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir fixed dose combination drug in Nepal. Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and velpatasvir (100 mg) fixed dose combination is sold by Gilead Sciences Inc, under brand name Epclusa. 

Epclusa is the first all-oral, pan-genotypic, single tablet regimen for the treatment of adults with genotype 1-6 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Epclusa is also the first single tablet regimen approved for the treatment of patients with HCV genotype 2 and 3, without the need for ribavirin. Natco has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic hepatitis C medicines in 101 developing countries.