Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has entered into a non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with MSD (the trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA) to manufacture and supply a generic version of the investigational HIV prevention medicine, Alimatravir, in eligible low- and middle-income countries.
Aurobindo Pharma is among a select group of global generic drug manufacturers chosen to sign the royalty-free agreement. The licensing arrangement covers 129 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which together account for the majority of new HIV diagnoses globally. Commercial supply will be subject to successful regulatory approvals and applicable local requirements.
The agreement is significant as it has been executed even before enrolment for the Phase 3 clinical trial is completed, a first in HIV prevention. The early licensing is intended to facilitate rapid manufacturing scale-up and improve access once the medicine receives regulatory approvals. Under the agreement, Aurobindo Pharma will manufacture and supply generic alimatravir that meets internationally recognised quality standards.
Commitment to global access
Aurobindo Pharma Associate President & Head, Global Access & Licensing Umesh K said, “At Aurobindo Pharma, expanding access to high-quality, affordable medicines remains central to our purpose. Our collaboration with MSD reflects our continued commitment to partnering with innovators to accelerate equitable access to potential new therapies. Through this voluntary licensing agreement, we look forward to making alimatravir available across eligible low- and middle-income countries, subject to successful development and regulatory approvals, helping strengthen global efforts towards HIV prevention.”
Early planning for wider access
MSD Senior Vice President, Global HIV Marketing Gregg Szabo, said, “We are pleased to be working with Aurobindo and the other manufacturers involved in these voluntary licensing agreements to manufacture generic alimatravir in 129 LMICs, if approved. We hope this early action will help stakeholders across the HIV response begin planning for the scale-up needed to reach people who could benefit from HIV prevention, following the necessary regulatory approvals.”