Beximco Pharma was granted a sub-license by the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to produce a generic version of Pfizer’s breakthrough Covid-19 drug, a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (available under the brand name Paxlovid).
Nirmatrelvir is a novel main protease inhibitor that specifically blocks the activity of the enzyme needed for SARS-CoV2 viral replication, read a press release.
Ritonavir is a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor and a pharmacokinetic boosting agent for nirmatrelvir.
Paxlovid was granted emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2021 for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older).
The sub-license is granted under a voluntary licensing agreement between Pfizer and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to facilitate broader global access to this antiviral combination.
Under the agreement, it will manufacture this drug in Bangladesh following successful technology transfer and manufacturing regulatory approvals.
On January 20, Beximco was granted a sub-license by MPP to produce another Covid-19 drug, molnupiravir, which was developed by MSD and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.
Beximco Pharma's Managing Director, Nazmul Hassan MP, said: "We are delighted that MPP has granted Beximco Pharma a sub-license to produce Pfizer’s breakthrough Covid-19 treatment, which builds on the license granted to the company in January 2022 for the production of molnupiravir. This further collaboration with MPP is testament to our commitment to providing a broad selection of affordable treatments to combat Covid-19 in low- and middle-income countries, as well as our strong reputation as a producer of high-quality generic medicines."
