In what could be a positive development for Natco Pharma, the Supreme Court on Friday quashed a special leave petition filed by Bayer Corporation challenging grant of compulsory licence to Natco for its liver/kidney cancer drug Sofrafenib.
This was stated by Natco in a release. Bayer had appealed to the Supreme Court following a setback it received in the Bombay High Court in July 2014.
Sorafenib Tosylate is now being sold under brand name Nexavar by Bayer. In March 2012, Natco Pharma secured compulsory licence from the Government of India to make a generic of Nexavar.
With this, Natco would be able to bring down the price significantly. While Natco’s drug costs ₹8,880 for a pack of 120 tablets, Bayer is priced at ₹2.84 lakh.