This story is from October 21, 2005

Ranbaxy talk to Roche for bird flu drug

Rupali Mukherjee / TNN / Oct 21, 2005, 23:52 IST

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Cipla and Ranbaxy have written to, Roche to seek sub-licence for manufacture of Tamiflu, a vaccine against bird flu.

NEW DELHI: Indian companies such as Cipla and Ranbaxy have written to Swiss pharmaceutical group, Roche to seek sub-licence for manufacture of Tamiflu, a vaccine against bird flu.
Ranbaxy Laboratories CEO Brian Tempest told TOI: "we have asked Roche for possible opportunities, including licensing and manufacturing of the drug.
Ranbaxy will start discussions with Roche soon to finalise terms of sub-licence, and with certain governments for manufacture of the vaccine.
Besides Roche, Cipla has also written to biotech company Gilead Sciences, who had sold all commercial and manufacturing rights of the drug to the Swiss company earlier. "We have written to Gilead and Roche seeking terms of sub-licence of manufacturing the bird flu vaccine", Cipla MD Amar Lulla said.

In June, US-based Gilead Sciences invoked a contract clause to demand return of all commercial and manufacturing rights from Roche, citing ongoing neglect of the product. The matter is under litigation as Roche had denied the charges.
Tamiflu was invented in 1996 by scientists at Gilead Sciences Inc, who sold all rights in exchange for annual royalties to Roche. Domestic companies have swung into action following the Swiss company's statement on Friday that it would start negotiations with four generic drug companies including Ranbaxy Laboratories, Teva Pharmaceutical, Mylan Laboratories and Barr Laboratories.
The demand for Tamiflu is far outstripping Roche's ability to manufacture the drug, amid warnings of a looming flu epidemic in most parts of the world. Some 40 countries are trying to create Tamiflu stockpiles to treat millions if an epidemic breaks out.

About the Author

Rupali Mukherjee

A business journalist with around two decades of experience tracking key consumer-focussed sectors like consumer durables, retail, consumer goods, aviation, automobiles and advertising, as well as economic ministries of the Union government. Now, writes primarily on pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and on issues of consumer interest. Besides also looks at trends that are shaping consumer behaviour and the broad consumer landscape. \nYou can follow Rupali on Twitter@Rupalijee.

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