A Nigerian pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has been chosen to create and produce a generic version of baloxavir marboxil, an antiviral drug used for treating influenza.
Fidson is one of 11 manufacturers from nine countries picked under a voluntary licensing deal between the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and the Swiss company Roche.
The company shared this news in a press release signed by its media contact, Tope Akindele. The MPP, which is backed by the United Nations, also announced the sublicence agreements on 25 September.
The selected manufacturers come from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The MPP stated that this arrangement aims to “diversify supply pathways for influenza treatment, support regional production, and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks and pandemics.”
What this means for Fidson and Nigeria
Fidson's selection means it will develop, manufacture, and supply generic baloxavir in 129 countries included in the licence, once it receives regulatory approval.
The agreement also provides selected manufacturers with access to technical data, reference products for bioequivalence studies, and other support to help with product development and getting regulatory approval.
The MPP said it chose the manufacturers after an open Expression of Interest process and an assessment of their technical and regulatory skills and commitment to making quality baloxavir products.
The organization added that having manufacturers in various regions would help build production capacity closer to the people who will use the medicines, boosting the reliability of global supply.
For Nigeria, this selection puts a local drug maker in a worldwide effort to expand production of a flu antiviral while also improving local and regional drug manufacturing capacity.
Strengthening Africa’s role
Fidson’s Managing Director and CEO, Biola Adebayo, called the selection a recognition of the company’s focus on quality pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.
“Being selected by the Medicines Patent Pool as a sublicensee under the Roche-MPP voluntary licensing programme for baloxavir marboxil is both an honour and a validation of Fidson’s longstanding commitment to quality-assured pharmaceutical manufacturing, innovation, and improving healthcare outcomes,” Mr Adebayo stated.
He added that this partnership would help the company work towards better regional health security and readiness for future health crises.
“As an African healthcare company, we are proud to contribute to global efforts aimed at strengthening regional health security, enhancing preparedness for future health emergencies, and ensuring that life-saving medicines reach the patients who need them most,” he said.
Mr Adebayo also mentioned that this partnership shows the increasing importance of African manufacturers in the global health system.
He said Fidson would collaborate with Roche, the MPP, and other partners to improve access to baloxavir in eligible markets.
Part of pandemic preparedness
This announcement came as global leaders met in New York for the United Nations General Assembly to talk about pandemic prevention, readiness, and response.
The MPP explained that the licensing deal is meant to build manufacturing capacity before a health emergency happens, not during it.
Charles Gore, Executive Director of the MPP, said the organization would assist the selected manufacturers with product development and regulatory approval, aiming to make quality generic baloxavir available as soon as possible.
“By combining global manufacturing capacity with regionally focused production, we are helping build a more geographically diverse and reliable supply base for the future,” Mr Gore stated.
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