Medicines Patent Pool signs first license for hepatitis C drug daclatasvir

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) today announced its first license for a hepatitis C medicine, signing an agreement with US pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) for daclatasvir, a novel direct-acting antiviral that is proven to help cure multiple genotypes of the HCV virus.

The royalty-free licence will enable generic manufacture of daclatasvir (marketed by Bristol-Myers under the Daklinza trade name) for sale in 112 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 76 of which are World Bank classified middle-income nations. Nearly two-thirds of all patients living with hepatitis C in the LMICs reside in the territory covered by this agreement.

“This agreement could change the lives of millions of people with hepatitis C,” said Margaret Chan, World Health Organization Director General. “It’s a vital step towards ensuring essential treatments are available to all who need them, both rich and poor,” Dr Chan added.