Roche has entered into four new technology transfers with local manufacturers in Africa and Asia, which will be provided free of charge with the technical expertise to manufacture generic HIV medicine.
The drugs, based upon the processes to produce saquinavir, Roche's second line HIV medicine, will be jointly manufactured by Regal Pharmaceuticals in Kenya, CAPS Holdings in Zimbabwe, Shelys Pharmaceuticals in Tanzania and Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Bangladesh.
Since its launch two years ago, Roche has signed Technology Transfer agreements with a total of nine companies across sub-Saharan Africa and the world's Least Developed Countries. Furthermore Roche has received expressions of interest from a total of 35 manufacturers in 15 eligible countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. Roche will continue to work with these individual applicants to assess production capabilities, the drug major said in a statement.
William M. Burns, CEO, Roche Pharma, said: "These new agreements highlight the ongoing contribution that our Technology Transfer Initiative is making to help strengthen and expand local manufacturing capabilities for HIV medicines in resource-limited countries. With more local manufacturers now looking to scale-up production of essential medicines, the continued uptake of this initiative highlights Roche as an innovative leader in supporting sustainable solutions to improve HIV healthcare where it is needed most."
In addition to these four new agreements, Roche has expanded the Technology Transfer Initiative with training seminars for local manufacturers across sub-Saharan Africa and the world's Least Developed Countries. These sessions focus on the development of improved manufacturing processes and provide a forum for Roche to share its knowledge and experience with those who have access to fewer resources. The knowledge gained by local manufacturers enables them to strengthen their manufacturing capability, increase manufacturing knowledge on the production of medicines beyond HIV.
Rahul Malhotra, CEO, Shelys Pharmaceuticals, Tanzania commented, "The practical support that Roche has provided has been a great learning experience for my team, enabling us to make improvements to our entire technical and quality systems. We have been enthused by this partnership and are eager to work with Roche on this initiative to help meet the needs of our people suffering from HIV infections, and improve availability of these badly needed medications."
In addition to its Technology Transfer Initiative, Roche will maintain its current pricing and patent policy. No patents for any of Roche medicines - across all disease areas - will be filed in the world's Least Developed Countries (LDCs), as defined by the UN. Roche will not file patents on new antiretroviral medicines in LDCs or sub-Saharan Africa. Roche will not take action in these countries against the sale or manufacture of generic versions of antiretroviral medicines. Generic versions of such HIV medicines can therefore be produced in LDCs and sub-Saharan Africa without the need for a voluntary or compulsory licence, according to the company sources. Roche makes its HIV protease inhibitors Invirase and Viracept available at no profit prices for direct supplies from Roche Basel to LDCs and sub-Saharan Africa.