KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): CCM Duopharma Biotech Bhd, the pharmaceutical arm of Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM), has entered a collaboration with Natco Pharma Ltd of India to commercialise a range of Hepatitis C products in Malaysia.

In a statement today, CCM Duopharma said the collaboration is to improve access and affordability for patients who cannot afford the high cost of treatment for Hepatitis C in the country.

"Currently, only a select few can afford treatment for Hepatitis C as medication may cost up to RM300,000 per treatment. Some patients even spend more to participate in clinical trials for other potential cures or seek treatment overseas," said CCM group managing director Leonard Ariff.

CCM Duopharma said the Hepatitis C products it will market and sell were developed by Gilead Sciences Ireland UC, which have granted Natco Pharma the right to manufacture, market and sell Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and formulations containing its proprietary compounds.

A Voluntary License (VL) was issued by Gilead Sciences to Natco Pharma, which will allow generic versions of the costly drugs to be made accessible in Malaysia, where CCM Duopharma expects to benefit approximately 500,000 Hepatitis C patients.

"The VL will also enable CCM Duopharma to offer the generic products to both public and private hospitals in Malaysia," it added.

"We are confident this breakthrough initiative will significantly improve patients’ quality of life and enable them to lead healthier and happier lives," said Leonard.

Natco Pharma vice chairman and chief executive officer Rajeev Nannapaneni said with the partnership, the company looks to deepen its relationship with CCM Duopharma after both parties collaborated previously to commercialise oncology products.

"We are confident the collaboration will enable both parties to leverage each other’s expertise and resources to provide ground-breaking solutions to patients and advance the treatment of hepatitis in Malaysia," he added.

Moving forward, CCM Duopharma said it will consider localising the manufacturing of the Hepatitis C products through technology transfer if volume requirements for the Malaysian market is substantial enough for local manufacturing or upon the government’s request.

CCM Duopharma shares slipped 4 sen or 1.67% to close at RM2.36 today, giving it a market capitalisation of RM658.34 million.

Chemical Company of Malaysia shares inched up 1 sen or 0.65% to settle at RM1.55, which valued it at RM765.15 million.