Two Hyderabad based pharma companies have received approval from the national drug regulator for generic Sofosbuvir tablets that are used to treat hepatitis C infection.

Drugs Controller General (India) has granted permission to Natco and Hetero pharma for generic sofosbuvir tablets in the strength of 400 mg.

Natco will market generic Sofosbuvir through strategic partners in India under its brand Hepcinat.

The company is planning to launch the product in India soon at retail price of Rs 19,900 per bottle of 28 tablets.

Sofosbuvir is sold globally by Gilead Sciences, under its brand Sovaldi.

Natco had signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences to manufacture and sell generic versions of its chronic hepatitis C medicines in 91 developing countries. Hetero also has the same non-exclusive License agreement with Gilead Sciences.

"Hepatitis C is a growing public health concern, particularly in developing countries such as India and Hetero is committed to bringing affordable sofosbovir to India,” said Vamsi krishna, director of Hetero.

Hetero will launch Sofosbuvir under its brand Sofovir in India. Hetero will price its generic medicine at Rs 19,900 for a bottle of 28 tablets and will launch the medicine this month in India and other countries soon.