India rejects patent for shorter drug-resistant TB treatment BPaL

The Indian Patent Office has rejected TB Alliance's patent application for BPaL, a six-month, all-oral combination of bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid recommended by the WHO for certain drug-resistant tuberculosis. Older regimens can take 18 to 24 months and involve injections. The decision may open the door to generic competition, though cost impact depends on availability and pricing.