Last checked at 17 Mar 2022 14:30
17 March, 2022
BEXIMCO PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.
Beximco Pharma granted sub-license to produce a generic version of Pfizer's oral treatment for COVID-19 by Medicines Patent Pool
Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited ("Beximco Pharma", "BPL" or "the Company"), the fast-growing manufacturer of generic pharmaceutical products and active pharmaceutical ingredients, announces that the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) has granted the Company a sub-license to produce a generic version of Pfizer's breakthrough COVID-19 oral treatment, which is a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. This is further to the sub-license granted to the Company by MPP to produce MSD and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' COVID-19 drug, molnupiravir, as announced on 20 January 2022.
Nirmatrelvir is a novel main protease inhibitor that specifically blocks the activity of the enzyme needed for SARS-CoV2 viral replication. Ritonavir is a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor and pharmacokinetic boosting agent to increase nirmatrelvir concentrations to the target therapeutic range. The Pfizer oral treatment, under the brand name PAXLOVID™, was granted Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2021, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older), who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
The sub-license is granted under a voluntary licensing agreement between Pfizer and MPP to facilitate broader global access of this antiviral combination.
Under the agreement, Beximco Pharma will manufacture this drug in Bangladesh following successful technology transfer and manufacturing regulatory approvals.
Managing Director of Beximco Pharma, Nazmul Hassan MP, commented:
"We are delighted that MPP has granted Beximco Pharma a sub-license to produce a generic version of this breakthrough COVID-19 treatment originally developed by Pfizer, which builds on the license granted to the Company in January 2022 for the production of molnupiravir. This further collaboration with MPP is testament to our commitment to providing a broad selection of affordable treatments to combat COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries, as well as our strong reputation as a producer of high-quality generic medicines."
For further information please visit www.beximcopharma.com or enquire to:
Beximco PharmaNazmul Hassan MP, Managing DirectorTel: +880 2 58611001, ext. 20080S M Rabbur Reza, Chief Operating OfficerTel: +880 2 58611001, ext. 20111Mohammad Ali Nawaz, Chief Financial OfficerTel: +880 2 58611001, ext. 20030SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser)Mark Brady / Andrew EmmottTel: +44 (0) 20 3368 3551 / 3555SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Broker)Vadim Alexandre / Abigail WayneTel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470FTI ConsultingSimon Conway / Victoria Foster MitchellTel: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000Notes to EditorsAbout Beximco Pharmaceuticals LimitedBeximco Pharma is a leading manufacturer and exporter of medicines based in Bangladesh. Since its inception in 1976, the Company remains committed to health and wellbeing of people across all the continents by providing access to contemporary medicines. Company's broad portfolio of generics encompasses diverse delivery systems such as tablets, capsules, liquids, semi-solids, intravenous fluids, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, sterile ophthalmic drops, insulins, prefilled syringes, injectables, nebuliser solutions, oral soluble films etc. The Company also undertakes contract manufacturing for multinational and leading global generic pharmaceutical companies.Beximco Pharma′s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are certified by global regulatory authorities of USA, Europe, Australia, Canada, GCC and Latin America, among others and it has a geographic footprint in more than 50 countries. More than 5,500 employees are driving the company towards achieving its aspiration to be among the most admired companies in the world.
About The Medicines Patent Pool
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders, to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 13 patent holders for thirteen HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, two long-acting technologies, two experimental oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and a COVID-19 serological antibody diagnostic test.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP's main funder. MPP's work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). MPP's activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and SDC.