Proactive Investors - GSK PLC has entered into agreements with three firms to produce affordable generic versions of its long-lasting HIV prevention drug, cabotegravir, for use in lower-income countries where most new HIV cases arise.
The injectable medication received approval from US regulators in late 2021.
The UK pharma giant had announced a collaboration with the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool in July last year, aiming to provide low-income countries with earlier access to new HIV treatments than they had with previous HIV drugs.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, millions of people died in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, where treatments readily available in wealthier nations were not accessible.
GSK revealed that the new initiative could make the generic version of its injectable drug available in low-income countries as early as 2026.
ViiV Healthcare, GSK's HIV treatment division, announced on Wednesday that it had granted voluntary licenses to Aurobindo, Cipla, and Viatris, allowing them to produce generic versions of injectable cabotegravir.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the generic alternatives will be supplied to 90 countries. Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla plans to produce the injections in India and South Africa, aiming to expand the country's drug manufacturing industry to meet the continent's needs and reduce reliance on imports exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective method for HIV-negative individuals at risk of infection to reduce that risk. Until recently, PrEP was only available in pill form, making GSK's product the first non-pill alternative.
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