ViiV Healthcare expands licensing for injectable HIV treatment to 133 countries
GSK subsidiary ViiV Healthcare has extended its patent licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool to include HIV treatment, enabling generic production of long-acting injectable drugs.
ViiV Healthcare has updated its voluntary licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to include the use of cabotegravir for HIV treatment. Previously, the agreement was limited to the use of the drug for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The expansion allows established licensees—Aurobindo, Cipla, and Viatris—to develop, manufacture, and distribute generic versions of long-acting injectable cabotegravir. The license covers 133 countries, primarily targeting least-developed and low-income nations, as well as countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This move follows revised guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), which now recommends long-acting injectable regimens as a treatment alternative for patients who struggle with the adherence requirements of daily oral medications. ViiV Healthcare stated it is providing technical assistance to these manufacturers to expedite availability.
Industry analysts note that long-acting injectables represent a significant shift in HIV management. By widening access through generic partnerships, the company aims to reach populations currently facing barriers to consistent treatment regimens.