STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a generic HIV prevention shot, Lonza buying U.S. facilities, and more

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to produce a generic version of a revolutionary HIV prevention medication, a significant move towards improving access for numerous low- and middle-income nations, reports STAT. As the world's leading generic drugmaker, Dr. Reddy’s intends to begin distributing the medicine next month, driven by the collective goal of making the drug accessible in lower-income countries swiftly.

This approval marks a crucial step in expanding availability for a medicine that costs $40 annually per person, equivalent to the price of daily tablets.

Lonza, a prominent contract drug manufacturer, has finalized the acquisition of five U.S. manufacturing facilities from Merck KGaA, significantly expanding its presence in the country and enhancing its production capacities for advanced cancer and gene therapies. This acquisition elevates Lonza's U.S. site count to nine, enabling Merck to concentrate more on drug development.

The newly acquired sites are situated in Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, and California. Lonza has been augmenting its U.S. contract manufacturing network through acquisitions, such as securing Roche's biologics plant in Vacaville, California, in 2024. For the full story, refer to STAT+.