In order to build diagnostic capacity and an enabling environment for hepatitis C treatment, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), a global non-profit organisation dedicated towards development of affordable diagnostic tests, and Cipla have signed a collaborative agreement to improve the sensitivity of new hepatitis C diagnostic tests, develop and demonstrate programmes that combine hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment for high-risk populations, including those with HIV co-infection.  

India has an estimated 12 million people living with HCV, most of whom do not know their status. The widespread availability of better diagnostic tests for the virus, combined with affordable, highly effective treatment, would be a game-changer.

Deaths from viral hepatitis have now surpassed those associated with HIV in many parts of the world. Unlike HIV, however, HCV is curable. “The new direct-acting antiviral therapy is effective, with few side effects and more affordable. Partnering with leading doctors in the field of liver disease, Cipla has been able to provide treatment to thousands of patients over the past year," said Denis Broun, head of government affairs, Cipla.

"As prices keep decreasing, several states have started to finance the treatment of hepatitis C, which will make it available to low-income patients," he added. The new HCV therapies, which are relatively non-toxic compared to earlier interferon based treatments, have a greater than 95 per cent cure rate over just 12 to 24 weeks of treatment. Older treatments took a year or more, and were much less effective.

“The challenge is to increase access to the new treatments in countries that don’t have simple, low cost screening and confirmatory tests for HCV,” said Dr Catharina Boehme, CEO of FIND.

She further added that public screening and diagnosis programmes paired with treatment are needed if we are to maximise the impact of new HCV drugs in low and middle-income countries.

Currently, HCV diagnosis requires two or more steps, including a rapid HCV screening test followed by a molecular test of HCV core antigen or HCV RNA. None of these tests are available in rapid formats at affordable prices.

A single confirmed case of active HCV infection currently costs more than US$ 100 to diagnose. Even with streamlined testing, the cost of screening will exceed US$ 30 without interventions to address the issue.

Affordable screening tests adapted for resource-limited settings, the political will to implement comprehensive HCV programmes and innovative public-private partnerships are all needed to improve HCV care in most countries. Partnerships will necessarily involve a wide range of institutions across academia, industry, the public sector and civil society.

Gilead has established an access programme for HCV treatment in low and middle income countries through non-exclusive licenses to other pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, at greatly reduced prices.