Pfizer agrees to let other companies make its Covid pill
On 16th November 2021 Pfizer Inc. and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a United Nations-backed public health organization to increase access to life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries, 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).
Under this agreement, MPP will be able 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.
In a statement Pfizer said, “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.”
Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer said, “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.” “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.”