Gilead Sciences, together with Mylan Laboratories, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Strides Arcolab, have entered into a collaboration to promote access to generic versions of Gilead’s HIV medicine emtricitabine (FTC) in developing countries, including single tablet regimens and fixed-dose combinations of emtricitabine co-formulated with other Gilead HIV medicines. Gilead will provide technology transfer for the manufacture of emtricitabine, as well as funding for process improvements to reduce overall manufacturing costs.
 
Emtricitabine is marketed by Gilead under the brand name Emtriva, and the fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is under the brand name Truvada. The agreements are designed to enable Gilead’s Indian generic partners to produce high volumes of FTC/TDF-based therapies at lower costs.
 
“More than 2.7 million patients living with HIV in developing countries are currently receiving a TDF-containing regimen, a medicine innovated by Gilead and subsequently licensed to our Indian generic partners as part of our efforts to increase global access to effective treatment. India’s pharmaceutical industry is a world leader in process chemistry, and our ongoing collaboration will be critical for furthering access to affordable, high-quality, first-line HIV treatment for developing countries,” said John C. Martin, PhD, Gilead’s chairman and chief executive officer.
 
Heather Bresch, chief executive officer of Mylan, said, “An essential component of ensuring access to affordable health care around the world is providing access to high-quality, cost-effective medications. Access to affordable medicine continues to be a particularly acute need in tackling HIV/AIDS, and once again we are delighted to be collaborating with Gilead in these efforts. Partnerships like this one ensure that patients in developing markets have access to important, recommended treatment options, like emtricitabine.”
 
Arun Sawhney, chief executive officer and managing director, Ranbaxy Laboratories, said, “Ranbaxy and Gilead have a strong collaboration in the area of HIV/AIDS. We are pleased to extend this association with Gilead that will enable us to offer quality affordable medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.”
 
Arun Kumar, managing director and group vice chairman, Strides Arcolab Ltd., said, “We are pleased to associate with Gilead on this initiative that will provide access to high quality essential antiretrovirals in developing markets. This partnership will re-enforce our commitment to provide affordable drugs in the field of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to low- and middle-income countries.”