Gilead Sciences' hepatitis drug patent faces legal challenge

International groups representing doctors and patients have launched a fresh challenge to the patent on Gilead Sciences’ hepatitis C drug Sofosbuvir at the European Patent Office in order to increase access to the treatment.

Sofosbuvir is sold by the US drugmaker as Sovaldi and is included in other hepatitis C medicines such as Harvoni and Epclusa.

The drug is transforming the fight against the liver- destroying viral disease by offering an effective cure, but Medecins Sans Frontieres and Medecins du Monde said its high cost was a serious barrier.