Ferozsons Laboratories Limited (PSX: FEROZ) has secured a non-exclusive voluntary license agreement with Gilead Sciences Ireland UC, allowing it to manufacture and sell generic versions of the HIV drug lenacapavir.
The partnership aims to provide high-quality, affordable HIV treatment in resource-constrained, high-burden countries across the developing world.
Ferozsons is one of only six global partners granted this license, enabling the company to produce lenacapavir, a drug approved by the US FDA for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in heavily treatment-experienced patients (HTE) with multi-drug-resistant HIV. The agreement also includes rights to produce lenacapavir for HIV prevention, pending regulatory approval.
Expanding access to HIV treatment and prevention
Under the terms of the agreement, Ferozsons and its affiliates can manufacture and distribute the licensed generic lenacapavir across 120 low and lower-middle-income countries, subject to regulatory approvals. The agreement includes a technology transfer from Gilead, which will enable Ferozsons to scale up production.
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Lenacapavir is available in two dosage forms: an injectable vial containing 309 mg/mL and an oral tablet containing 300 mg. The injectable form will be produced at Ferozsons’ joint venture subsidiary, BF Biosciences Limited, while the oral variant will be manufactured at the company’s oral solid dosage (OSD) facility.
Although lenacapavir is already approved in several countries for HIV treatment, its use in HIV prevention remains investigational, with ongoing studies assessing its safety and efficacy. The drug’s unique multi-stage mechanism of action distinguishes it from other antivirals, as it targets multiple stages of the HIV lifecycle without known cross-resistance to other drug classes.
Gilead’s commitment to global health
Gilead Sciences, Inc., headquartered in Foster City, California, is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative medicines for life-threatening illnesses. With operations in over 35 countries, Gilead’s partnership with Ferozsons aligns with its mission to improve access to treatment and care for people in underserved regions.
