Generic manufacturers from South Africa and South Korea join Medicine Patent Pool (MPP)

21 May 2018. Related: Treatment access.

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

On 2 May 2018, the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) announced that five new generic manufacturers will sign sublicensing agreements with the organisation. 

This includes the first companies from South Africa (Adcock Ingram) and from South Korea (Celltrion), along with Langhua Pharma from China, and Mangalam Drugs & Organics and Arene Lifesciences from India.

These new companies were signed to produce formulations of dolutegravir, which is now recommended by WHO as an alternative first-line option.

Generic versions of DTG manufactured under MPP sublicences will soon reach people with HIV living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The US FDA has already granted tentative approval Cipla’s dolutegravir and Mylan’s fixed dose combination of dolutegravir/lamivudine/TDF (TLD), as well as a combination of dolutegravir/emtricitabine/TAF.

There are now 25 companies working with the MPP to manufacture low-cost, quality-assured treatments for developing countries. In total, the MPP’s generic manufacturing network is managing 130 development projects to manufacture, register and deliver 13 antiretrovirals, as well as hepatitis C and tuberculosis treatments.

The MPP was founded and is funded by Unitaid.

Reference

MPP press statement. The Medicines Patent Pool adds new suppliers from South Africa and South Korea to its growing generic manufacturing network. (02 May 2018).
https://medicinespatentpool.org/mpp-media-post/the-medicines-patent-pool-adds-new-suppliers-from-south-africa-and-south-korea-to-its-growing-generic-manufacturing-network