Zydus Cadila, a leading global healthcare provider has signed a non-exclusive, royalty free agreement with The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) for the generic production of Bristol-Myers Squibb's daclatasvir, a novel direct-acting antiviral (DAA) that is proven to help cure multiple genotypes of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The agreement sub-licences Zydus to produce and sell daclatasvir in 112 low and middle income countries.

Between 130 and 150 million people worldwide are estimated to have HCV. The vast majority lives in low and middle income countries. The MPP licence allows generic manufacturers to develop fixed-dose combinations that offer the potential to treat all of the six major genotypes of HCV. Daclatasvir, in combination with other DAAs, for example sofosbuvir, produces high cure rates after 12 weeks of treatment, with recent Phase III studies demonstrating that the regimen could cure up to 100% of HCV patients depending on genotype and stage of liver disease.

Speaking on the development, Chairman and Managing Director of the Zydus group, Mr Pankaj R Patel said, "We are committed to delivering better therapy outcomes and improving the quality of life of people. We are happy to work together with The Medicines Patent Pool and Bristol-Myers Squibb to serve the cause of healthcare by providing access to new and affordable therapies to the economically disadvantaged communities across the developing countries."