INDIAN DRUGMAKER TO MARKET BMS ARV MEDICATIONS

India-based Aurobindo Pharma has been given the license to market stavudine and aidanosine, both antiretroviral (ARV) HIV/AIDS medications produced by Britain's Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). The license allows the company to market the two drugs in 49 nations including South Africa, which is one of the most HIV/AIDS-affected countries in the world. The drugs are expected to constitute a $100 million market in South Africa alone.

Stavudine capsules in the strengths of 30 mg and 40 mg and stavudine oral solution 1 mg/ml have already been approved by the U.S. FDA, the company noted. Compared to other drugmakers based in the Southeast Asia region, Aurobindo produces the largest number of FDA-approved ARV medications.