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Merck Licenses Experimental HIV Pill to Generic Makers in 129 Countries
The agreements include seven generic makers and cover countries that account for most new HIV diagnoses worldwide, Merck said.
- On Friday, Merck announced seven royalty-free licensing agreements with generic drug manufacturers to produce and sell its experimental once-monthly oral HIV pill, alimatravir, across 129 low- and lower-middle-income countries.
- With an estimated 40.9 million people living with HIV globally in 2025, the investigational drug MK-8527 aims to provide one month of protection from a single dose, simplifying adherence for affected populations.
- The agreements include three manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa and four in India. Gregg Szabo, head of Merck's global vaccines and infectious diseases unit, said "This is the first time that sub-Saharan African manufacturers have been included in licenses from the very beginning."
- Although trial results are not expected until the second half of next year, Merck is investing early in manufacturing capacity, enabling generic licensees to begin scaling production immediately.
- This strategy mirrors a 2024 move by Gilead Sciences, which granted royalty-free licenses to six manufacturers for its HIV prevention medicine in 120 countries, following World Health Organization calls to improve access.
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Aspen Joins Africa Push to Make MSD's HIV Prevention Pill
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. secured rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize an experimental once-monthly HIV prevention pill for 129 low- and middle-income countries, including every African nation.
·Toronto, Canada
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Merck licenses experimental HIV pill to generic makers in 129 countries
·London, United Kingdom
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Aspen gets Merck licensing agreement for experimental HIV pill
South African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare is one of seven generic drug manufacturers licensed to produce and sell lower-cost versions of Merck’s experimental once-monthly oral HIV pill in 129 low- and lower-middle-income countries.
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right3Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
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57% Center
C 57%
R 43%
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