The Hindu Business Line | Indian Patent Office Rejects TB Alliance’s Patent for Drug-Resistant TB Treatment

28 October 2026

The Hindu Business Line news story

The Indian Patent Office has rejected a patent application by TB Alliance for BPaL, a treatment for drug-resistant TB. The order, dated October 27, came after two objections were filed by patient groups. TB Alliance did not attend the final hearings.

BPaL combines three medicines: bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid. The World Health Organization recommends this six-month, all-oral treatment for eligible patients with drug-resistant TB. It is shorter than many older treatments and reduces the burden on patients.

The decision is expected to strengthen calls for affordable access to shorter treatments for drug-resistant TB.

Read the full news story here.

Source: The Hindu Business Line