Aspen Joins Africa Push to Make MSD’s HIV Prevention Pill

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Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — 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.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe South African drugmaker is one of three sub-Saharan African manufacturers licensed by Merck & Co., alongside companies in Kenya and Uganda. Their inclusion from the outset marks a first for Merck’s voluntary-licensing program for an HIV prevention medicine, bringing production closer to the regions expected to use the drug while supporting Africa’s push to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing, according to a Friday statement from the company, known as MSD outside the US and Canada.Alimatravir is being developed as a once-monthly oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, offering an alternative to daily pills. If ongoing late-stage clinical trials are successful and the drug wins regulatory approval, it would become the world’s first monthly oral HIV prevention medicine, a simpler regimen that could improve uptake and adherence, especially among young women and other people at high risk of infection.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe announcement comes as South Africa expands its HIV-prevention arsenal, after the introduction of the twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir. Together the products represent a broader shift toward long-acting prevention options designed to make staying HIV-free easier.South Africa remains at the epicenter of the global HIV epidemic, recording one of the world’s largest numbers of new infections each year despite decades of progress in treatment. Expanding prevention options is widely seen as critical to reducing transmission.Aspen said local production would strengthen healthcare security across the continent and reduce dependence on imported medicines when new prevention technologies become available. Aspen’s shares have gained about 25% this year as investors bet on new manufacturing opportunities, including plans to produce generic versions of blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss medicines.(Updates with inclusion from outset in third paragraph.)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.