. NEW DELHI: The Indian Patent Office has refused to grant a patent to US pharmaceutical firm AbbVie on its Hepatitis C combination therapy glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, marketed globally as Mavyret. The combination therapy is considered a key treatment for Hepatitis C, and the availability of affordable generic versions remains critical for widening patient access. “The order demonstrates the importance of India’s patent safeguards, including pre-grant opposition, in preventing unnecessary patent monopolies that can delay access to medicines,” public health advocacy group Third World Network (TWN) said. The decision is significant as the rejection prevents AbbVie from securing a secondary patent on the composition of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, which, if approved, could have prolonged the company’s market exclusivity by another five years, a TWN lawyer said. The rejection was under Sec 15 of Patents Act. The order records that AbbVie did not file reply statements or evidence in response to the pre-grant oppositions, and later informed the patent office that it wished to abandon the application. The decision’s significance is amplified by AbbVie’s licensing agreement with Medicines Patent Pool, under which India was excluded as a sales territory. About the AuthorRupali MukherjeeA 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.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Time Has Come’: Suvendu’s ‘Deportation’ Warning In Bhabanipur, Vows Action Over Kolkata ViolenceDelhi High Court Denies Interim Relief To Vinesh Phogat, Wrestler Barred From Asian Games Trials“India Is Now Naxal-Free”: Home Minister Amit Shah Declares End Of Maoist Insurgency From Bastar’I Am Trapped’: Twisha Sharma’s Last Message Before ‘Dowry Death’ In Bhopal | Headlines@9’Demanded Fortuner Car, Rs 50 Lakh’: Family Claims Noida Woman Was Thrown Off Terrace Over DowryFirst Look Of India’s Bullet Train Unveiled As Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor Nears 2027 LaunchBengal Govt Forms Panels To Probe Corruption, Atrocities Against Women During TMC Regime‘Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Lazy’: Inside India’s Viral Cockroach Janta PartySuvendu Adhikari Govt Ends Religion-Based Schemes In West Bengal, Scraps State OBC List‘Gone Are The Days When…’: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Warns After Kolkata Violence123PhotostoriesRubina Dilaik recalls a dark phase after her first breakup; says ‘Was deeply sad and financially broke, there were times when I was crying all the time’Idli vs Dhokla: Which is more nutritious for summer breakfastHow to make Dahi Sandwich for summer breakfastThere are only 2 countries starting with ‘Z’ and why travellers should explore them5 weekend getaways from Delhi under 500 km to escape the June heatWorld’s most culturally important rivers, and what they have in store for travellersOTT releases (May 18 to May 24): ‘Desi Bling’, ‘Jack Ryan’, ‘System’, ‘Ladies First’ lead the lineupConfused about how to remove the evil eye? Here are some remedies to get rid of negative vibes‘Queer Eye’ to Rehab Addict: Slurs, Low ratings and final chapters, every major reality TV show cancelled in 20265 Unlucky Plants You Should Remove from Your Home to Attract Good Luck123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingReal Madrid CoachBrittany mahomesFifa World Cup 2026Who is aj brown wifeKolkata VIP Security CutIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026London Tube StrikeDelhi High CourtFuel Price Hike
NEW DELHI: The Indian Patent Office has refused to grant a patent to US pharmaceutical firm AbbVie on its Hepatitis C combination therapy glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, marketed globally as Mavyret. The combination therapy is considered a key treatment for Hepatitis C, and the availability of affordable generic versions remains critical for widening patient access. “The order demonstrates the importance of India’s patent safeguards, including pre-grant opposition, in preventing unnecessary patent monopolies that can delay access to medicines,” public health advocacy group Third World Network (TWN) said. The decision is significant as the rejection prevents AbbVie from securing a secondary patent on the composition of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, which, if approved, could have prolonged the company’s market exclusivity by another five years, a TWN lawyer said. The rejection was under Sec 15 of Patents Act. The order records that AbbVie did not file reply statements or evidence in response to the pre-grant oppositions, and later informed the patent office that it wished to abandon the application. The decision’s significance is amplified by AbbVie’s licensing agreement with Medicines Patent Pool, under which India was excluded as a sales territory.
