Merck inks pact with four generic drugmakers in India for HIV drug

Pharma major Merck (known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada) has signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with generic drugmakers Aurobindo Pharma, Cipla, Emcure and Viatris in India to enable supply of its investigational, once-monthly oral pill HIV pill Alimatravir.

It has also signed such agreements with three other companies in sub-Saharan Africa. The royalty-free agreements with the seven companies cover both the public and private sectors and will enable supply of generic alimatravir in 129 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for a substantial majority of new HIV diagnoses globally, Merck said recently.

Separately, Aurobindo Pharma said executing the agreements before Phase 3 trial enrollment is completed is a first in HIV prevention. It is intended to enable the right scale-up where Aurobindo Pharma is licenced to manufacture and supply generic Alimatravir, which will meet internationally recognised standards following regulatory approvals.