US based Gilead Sciences has signed non-exclusive license agreements to provide generic versions of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (sold by Gilead under the brand name Viread) to three generic manufacturers in India. These license agreements will allow Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hetero Drugs Ltd. and Strides Arcolab Ltd to produce and distribute generic versions of tenofovir to 95 low-income countries around the world, including India.

The license agreements require that the generic manufacturers meet certain national and international regulatory standards and include a technology transfer to enable expeditious production of large volumes of high-quality generic versions of tenofovir. In addition, these agreements allow the manufacture of commercial quantities of both active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and finished product. Gilead continues to pursue license agreements with additional Indian generic manufacturers and is currently in ongoing discussions with a number of Indian companies, stated an official press release.
"We are pleased to have finalized agreements with Emcure, Hetero, and Strides Arcolab and anticipate granting additional licenses over time to help meet the needs of patients in the developing world," said John C. Martin, PhD, President and CEO of Gilead Sciences. "We hope that competition among multiple manufacturers will result in even lower prices for Viread in the developing world than what Gilead is currently offering. Gilead is committed to and making every effort to increase access worldwide, particularly in resource-limited areas, where the epidemic has hit the hardest."

Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet medical need. The company's mission is to advance the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases worldwide. Headquartered in Foster City, California, Gilead Sciences has operations in North America, Europe and Australia, the release stated.