Kenya Licenses Groundbreaking HIV Prevention Drug for African Markets

Africa is taking a significant step towards reducing its HIV burden as Kenya becomes one of three countries to manufacture a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug. The drug, alimatravir, will be manufactured by Universal Corporation in Kenya and is expected to make it immediately available in developing countries if clinical trial results next year live up to expectations.

The licensing deal between Merck and seven generic drugmakers, including one in Kenya, marks the first time African manufacturers are part of the licensing for an HIV medicine from the start. The decision is intended to make the drug available at a low cost, with President William Ruto stating that Africa will not 'go through that again' and wait longer, pay more, and receive less.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested $100 million into the drug's late-stage trial, while Unitaid is investing in infrastructure and supply chain security to ensure the manufacturing side of the deal does not stall. The partnership aims to strengthen African research and manufacturing, support skilled jobs and local private businesses, and expand regional trade.