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June 3, 2007: As part of its program to
make AIDS medications affordable to sub-Saharan
Africa, Roche has agreed to share the technology
expertise to make a common HIV drug to local
African companies free of cost.
The Swiss drug major has reached an agreement with
five companies across Africa since January 2006.
Addis Pharmaceutical Factory in Ethiopia and
Varichem Pharmaceuticals in Zimbabwe are the
latest beneficiaries under Roche’s Technology
Transfer Initiative.
These companies will be provided free of charge
with the technical expertise and guidance to
manufacture generic HIV medicine, based upon the
processes to produce Saquinavir, Roche’s 2nd line1
HIV medicine.
Roche has received expressions of interest from a
total of 32 manufacturers in 15 eligible
countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe and
Nigeria. More such technology transfers would
happen in the near future, an official communiqué
stated.
The companies will be able to produce Saquinavir
for supply throughout Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in
addition to any country within sub-Saharan Africa
or defined as Least Developed by the United
Nations, encompassing 64% of all people living
with HIV/AIDS globally.
Roche’s dedicated team will work onsite at the
manufacturing facilities in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe
and from its headquarters in Switzerland to
undertake the technology transfers.
Announced in January 2006, the Roche Technology
Transfer Initiative aims to provide local
manufacturers with the technical expertise
required to produce generic HIV medicines.
Manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa and the Least
Developed Countries wishing to produce generic
Saquinavir for use in these countries will not be
required to apply for a voluntary licence, as
Roche has committed as part of its global policy
not to enforce patents on HIV antiretroviral
medicines within these countries. Interested
manufacturers should contact the Project Manager,
Technology Transfer Initiative at the Roche Kenya
office: info.aidstechtransfer@roche.com.
Interested local manufacturers in the following
countries are invited to contact Roche to discuss
the Technology Transfer Initiative: Afghanistan,
Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso,
Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia.
BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT
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