Bird flu: Indian firms may make patented drug

Cipla, which has made its intention clear to make a generic copy of Tamiflu, considered the most effective medicine against bird flu, has said it has not formally approached Roche due to doubts over the validity of license in India.

"There is a doubt over their (Roche) valid license in India. I am in talks with my lawyers on how to proceed on this issue," Amar Lulla, Cipla's joint managing director told PTI from Mumbai.

However, industry sources said going ahead with the generic copies was a big risk as the patent could be granted anytime since the application was made in 1996.

Cipla had earlier said it was ready for an in-licensing agreement with Roche to make generic copy of Tamiflu.  When asked to confirm the status of Tamiflu's patent in India, Roche's India head G L Telang said, "It is pending".

He, however, declined to comment on when the patent is expected to be cleared. Cipla said it planned to begin commercial production of its generic version of Tamiflu by January next year.

Lulla said the company expected to make 750 kg (about one million doses) of its generic version in the first six months of production.