Natco Pharma Ltd.

Hyderabad based Natco Pharma has been granted compulsory license for Sarofenib Tosylate (Brand name: Nexavar owned by Bayer Corporation). Nexavar is the first line treatment for liver and kidney cancer. The compulsory license, first of its kind, enables the company to sell the drug at a price not exceeding Rs 8880 for a pack of 120 tablets (one month’s therapy) against Rs 284,428 being the cost of Nexavar sold by bayer. The license is valid till the expiry of the patent -2021.

The order is however subject to certain condition such as maintaining account of sales, and payment of royalty at 6% of the net sales on a quarterly basis, etc.  The order also makes it obligatory for NATCO to supply the drug free of cost at least 600 needy and deserving patients per year.

Natco Pharma was promoted as a private company to be in the business of research, developing, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical substances and finished dosage forms for Indian and International markets. The company began its operations in 1984 in Andhra Pradesh.