NGOs...are fighting pharma MNCs [multinationals] trying to patent their anti-AIDS drugs in India. So far, 12 anti-AIDS drugs for which patents are being sought by pharma MNCs [including GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead Sciences, Abbott Laboratories] have been opposed...Loon Gangte, regional coordinator, Collaborative Fund for HIV Treatment Preparedness (South-Asia)...[said] “This is a life-threatening situation for HIV patients. Patenting of these drugs will dramatically reduce access to treatment as copies of the drugs for which MNCs are seeking patent protection are already available in India,"... [refers to Novartis challenge to Patents Act] “Incremental innovation...has tremendous public health value; if denied, it will affect millions of patients in the country. Novartis is hopeful that the hurdles in the patent law in its current form will be removed and that the patent...will be granted,” said Ranjit Shahani, vice-chairman and managing director, Novartis India... [also refers to Cipla, Ranbaxy Labs, Strides Arcolab and Hetero Drugs]