Strides, US-based Gilead ink ARV deal

Strides Arcolab has signed an agreement with US-based bio-pharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences, for manufacturing and distributing generic versions of anti-HIV drugs Truvada and Viread.

The non-exclusive license and technical transfer agreement would enable Strides to manufacture and distribute generic versions of Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) in over 90 countries under the 'Gilead Access Program'.

This country classification is rated according to the Human Development Index and includes high prevalence focus countries in Africa and Asia including India, Strides said in a filing on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Arun Kumar, vice chairman and group CEO of Strides Arcolab, said the agreement was indicative of the company's ability to align with initiatives of global firms to fight HIV/AIDS, adding that the tie-up would enable authorised generic versions to be available in eligible countries at a significantly lower cost leading to substantially larger treatment coverage.