Aurobindo Pharma Inks Voluntary Licensing Pact with MSD for HIV Prevention Medicine
New Delhi: Aurobindo Pharma Limited 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 generic versions of the investigational HIV prevention medicine alimatravir in 129 low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), subject to regulatory approvals.
The royalty-free agreement covers countries that account for the majority of new HIV diagnoses globally. Aurobindo Pharma is among a select group of global generic manufacturers that have signed the licensing agreement.
According to the company, the agreements have been executed before completion of Phase 3 trial enrolment, marking a first in HIV prevention. The move is intended to facilitate timely manufacturing scale-up, enabling licensed manufacturers to supply generic alimatravir after regulatory approvals while meeting internationally recognised quality standards.
Commenting on the development, Umesh K, Associate President and Head – Global Access & Licensing at Aurobindo Pharma, 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."
Gregg Szabo, Senior Vice President, Global HIV Marketing at MSD, said the company was pleased to work with Aurobindo Pharma and the other licensed manufacturers to expand access to alimatravir, 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," he said.
Headquartered in Hyderabad, Aurobindo Pharma develops, manufactures and markets generic medicines, specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients across more than 150 countries. The company operates 31 manufacturing and packaging facilities approved by major global regulatory agencies, including the USFDA, UK MHRA, EDQM, Japan PMDA, WHO, Health Canada, South Africa MCC and Brazil ANVISA. Its portfolio spans multiple therapeutic segments, including central nervous system disorders, antiretrovirals, cardiovascular medicines, antibiotics, gastroenterology, anti-diabetics and anti-allergy products.
