Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a UN-backed public health organisation, has signed sublicense agreements with ten generic drugmakers in India for the manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 antiviral oral medication molnupiravir in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

 

MPP claimed it had struck deals with 27 generic drugmakers from 11 countries, including Natco, Strides, Biophore, SMS Pharmaceuticals, Laurus, Lupin, MSN, Arene Lifesciences, BDR, and Optimus.

 

The sublicenses are the outcome of a voluntary licencing agreement signed in October by MPP and MSD (Merck & Co) to provide inexpensive global access to molnupiravir, which MSD is developing in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, according to the company.

 

The non-exclusive sublicenses allow generic manufacturers to make molnupiravir's raw ingredients and/or the finished medicine. According to MPP, the firms who were given the sublicense demonstrated their ability to meet the requirements for production capacity, regulatory compliance, and the ability to meet worldwide standards for quality-assured pharmaceuticals. Five of the 27 enterprises will focus on raw ingredient production, 13 on both raw ingredient and completed medication production, and nine on finished drug production.

 

According to a notification on the MPP website, neither MSD, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, nor Emory University, which invented the medicine, will get royalties from molnupiravir sales to sublicensees as long as COVID-19 is listed as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by WHO.

 

According to the agreement, Natco Pharma will be able to manufacture and sell molnupiravir capsules 200 mg for the Indian market under the brand name Molnunat. The arrangement also allows it to make COVID-19 drugs available in generic form in 105 countries. The company can set its own price for the generic products it produces, paying a royalty on sales to MSD, Natco said in a release.

 

Biophore India Pharmaceuticals stated the product's development is complete, and the company is preparing to commercialise it within the next week. The licence allows it to market the product both in India and in 104 other countries. The medicine will be available in India next week for?1,500 for a pack of 40 capsules, according to the manufacturer.