E-DRUG: Pfizer and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) Sign Licensing Agreement for COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment Candidate to Expand Access in LMICs
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Dear colleagues,
Pfizer and the Medicines Patent Pool announced today that they have signed a licence agreement for Pfizer's COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment candidate PF-07321332, which is administered in combination with low dose ritonavir (PF-07321332; ritonavir). Here is our joint press release that was distributed at 12:45pm CET today.
It is available in English
<https://medicinespatentpool.org/news-publications-post/pfizer-and-the-medicines-patent-pool-mpp-sign-licensing-agreement-for-covid-19-oral-antiviral-treatment-candidate-to-expand-access-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/>,
French
<https://medicinespatentpool.org/uploads/2021/11/FR_press_release_MPP_Pfizer.pdf>,
Spanish
<https://medicinespatentpool.org/uploads/2021/11/SP_Press_Release_MPP_Pfizer.pdf>
and Russian
<https://medicinespatentpool.org/uploads/2021/11/RU_press_release_MPP_Pfizer.pdf>\.
Pfizer and The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) Sign Licensing Agreement for COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment Candidate to Expand Access in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
* Agreement builds on Pfizer's comprehensive strategy to work toward equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments for all people, particularly those living in the poorest parts of the world
* Agreement will enable qualified sub-licensees to supply countries comprising approximately 53% of the world's population
* Interim data from the Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR study demonstrated an 89% reduction in risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization or death compared to placebo in non-hospitalized high-risk adults with COVID-19 within three days of symptom onset with similar results seen within five days of symptom onset
NEW YORK and GENEVA, November 16, 2021 Pfizer Inc.(NYSE: PFE) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a United Nations-backed public health organization working to increase access to life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries, today announced the signing of a voluntary license agreement for Pfizer's COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment candidate PF-07321332, which is administered in combination with low dose ritonavir (PF-07321332; ritonavir).
The agreement will enable MPP to facilitate additional production and distribution of the investigational antiviral, pending regulatory authorization or approval, by granting sub-licenses to qualified generic medicine manufacturers, with the goal of facilitating greater access to the global population.
Under the terms of the head license agreement between Pfizer and MPP, qualified generic medicine manufacturers worldwide that are granted sub-licenses will be able to supply PF-07321332 in combination with ritonavir to 95 countries, covering up to approximately 53% of the world's population. This includes all low- and lower-middle-income countries and some upper-middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as countries that have transitioned from lower-middle to upper-middle-income status in the past five years. Pfizer will not receive royalties on sales in low-income countries and will further waive royalties on sales in all countries covered by the agreement while COVID-19 remains classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.
'Pfizer remains committed to bringing forth scientific breakthroughs to help end this pandemic for all people. We believe oral antiviral treatments can play a vital role in reducing the severity of COVID-19 infections, decreasing the strain on our healthcare systems and saving lives,' said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. 'We must work to ensure that all people - regardless of where they live or their circumstances - have access to these breakthroughs, and we are pleased to be able to work with MPP to further our commitment to equity.'
'This license is so important because, if authorized or approved, this oral drug is particularly well-suited for low- and middle-income countries and could play a critical role in saving lives, contributing to global efforts to fight the current pandemic,' said Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP. 'PF-07321332 is to be taken together with ritonavir, an HIV medicine we know well, as we have had a license on it for many years, and we will be working with generic companies to ensure there is enough supply for both COVID-19 and HIV.'
'Unitaid, a global health agency, created MPP ten years ago for this exact purpose â to secure licenses that enable and accelerate access to affordable quality treatments for people in resource-limited settings,' said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director, Unitaid. 'During a pandemic, saving time means saving lives. This agreement could help us to reach more people more quickly as soon as the medicine is approved and, when coupled with increased access to testing, bring benefits to millions.'
Access the license agreement
<https://medicinespatentpool.org/licence-post/pf-07321332>\.
MPP invites Expressions of Interest (EoI) from potential sublicensees based anywhere in the world for sublicences to manufacture and sell the co-pack of PF-07321332; ritonavir in the licensed territory:
Access the EoI portal<https://eoi.medicinespatentpool.org/>
More information about the EoI process
<https://medicinespatentpool.org/partners/how-to-give-or-get-a-licence#pills-How-to-get-a-licence-from-MPP/>
Deadline for applying: 6 December 2021, 6pm CET
About PF-07321332; ritonavir
PF-07321332 is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor antiviral therapy, specifically designed to be administered orally so that it can be prescribed at the first sign of infection or at first awareness of an exposure, potentially helping patients avoid severe illness which can lead to hospitalization and death. PF-07321332 is designed to block the activity of the SARS-CoV-2-3CL protease, an enzyme that the coronavirus needs to replicate. Co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir helps slow the metabolism, or breakdown, of PF-07321332 in order for it to remain active in the body for longer periods of time at higher concentrations to help combat the virus.
About Pfizer's Commitment to Equitable Access
Pfizer is committed to working toward equitable access of PF-07321332; ritonavir for all people, aiming to deliver safe and effective antiviral therapeutics as soon as possible and at an affordable price. If authorized or approved, during the pandemic, Pfizer will offer our investigational oral antiviral therapy through a tiered pricing approach based on the income level of each country to promote equity of access across the globe. High and upper-middle income countries will pay more than lower income countries, which will pay a not-for-profit price.
Pfizer Media Contact:
+1 (212) 733-1226
PfizerMediaRelations@pfizer.com<mailto:PfizerMediaRelations@pfizer.com>
MPP Media Contact
+41 79 685 64 36
press@medicinespatentpool.org<mailto:press@medicinespatentpool.org>
Best regards
Sophie
Sophie Thievenaz
Communications Manager
Medicines Patent Pool
Geneva, Switzerland
Sophie Thievenaz <sthievenaz@medicinespatentpool.org>