Fidson to produce generic influenza drug, strengthen health security

Fidson Healthcare Plc has been selected to manufacture a generic version of Roche's influenza drug, baloxavir marboxil. The company is one of eleven manufacturers across nine countries to sign sublicense agreements with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) for the development and manufacture of generic versions of the drug.

According to Nairametrics, Fidson is among four manufacturers with a global presence, along with Laurus Labs and MSN in India, and Desano and Guilin Pharma (Fosun) in China. The other manufacturers are regionally focused and include Biolab & Co. in Brazil, Kimia Farma in Indonesia, Hovid in Malaysia, QCIL in Uganda, Lekhim in Ukraine and Stellapharm in Vietnam.

The sublicense agreements mark an important step in strengthening health security, particularly in the 129 countries that Fidson will supply the generic drug to. The agreements were announced as global leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Punch, Nairametrics — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.