Kenya Lands Deal to Manufacture New Monthly HIV Prevention Pill for Africa

Kenya has been granted a licence to manufacture a new monthly HIV prevention pill for African markets, making it one of three countries on the continent set to produce the drug.

The move marks the first time African manufacturers have been included in the licensing of an HIV medicine from the beginning.

Pharmaceutical company Merck announced on Friday that it would license seven generic drugmakers to produce a low-cost version of the monthly HIV prevention pill, alimatravir. Universal Corporation will manufacture the drug in Kenya.

HIV Prevention Pill Could Be Available at Low Cost

The licensing agreement is intended to make alimatravir available in developing countries if clinical trial results expected next year confirm the drug’s promise.

The royalty-free licences cover generic production for 129 low- and middle-income countries. Merck has also committed to producing a bridge supply of the medicine, which will be sold to the countries at no profit.

This will allow stockpiles to be prepared so the drug can be supplied quickly if the trial results are positive, instead of waiting years for generic production to begin.

Gregg Szabo, a senior vice-president at Merck, said trial data show that the drug can provide protection against HIV starting about one hour after it is taken.

He also said the pill could provide about a week’s grace period if a person misses their next monthly dose. According to Szabo, the drug could eventually be sold to national health systems for as little as $5 (about Sh650) per person per year.

Kenya Part of Late-Stage Trial

The late-stage clinical trial began last year and is being conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri). The study involves young women in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.

This means clinical evidence for the drug is being generated in the same region where the medicine is intended to be used, rather than Africa receiving the finished product after it has been developed and tested elsewhere.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested $100 million in the late-stage trial and expects to provide a further $80 million to support testing and the drug’s journey to market.

Nina Russell, who oversees HIV drug development investment for the foundation, said the science behind alimatravir gives the team unusual confidence.

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Support for African Manufacturing

Unitaid is investing in infrastructure and supply chain security as part of the partnership. It is also providing technical support and funding to the three African manufacturing facilities to help ensure that production does not stall because of limited capacity.

The US International Development Finance Corporation has also been named among the partnership’s backers, with a role in mobilising private capital in emerging markets.

Priya Agrawal, representing Merck at the UN General Assembly side event, said the drug was shaped by the needs expressed by the HIV community.

“This is not just about alimatravir. This is about strengthening African research and manufacturing, supporting skilled jobs and local private businesses, expanding regional trade and the journey from innovation to impact,” she said.

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Ruto Hails Local Production

President William Ruto welcomed the development in a speech read by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale at a UN General Assembly high-level side event.

The forum was dubbed Roadmap to Self-Reliance: What’s Needed for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Africa.

Ruto said Africa carries about a quarter of the world’s disease burden but produces less than 6 per cent of its medical supplies and about 1 per cent of the vaccines it uses.

“We saw what that means during COVID-19. Africa waited longer. Paid more. Received less. Our people paid the price for a supply chain we did not own. We will not go through that again,” he said.

The President said the development represented a shift in Africa’s role in the production of medicines.

“Think about what that means. Africa helping to test the innovation. Africa is preparing to make it. Africa is ready to deliver it. Not standing at the end of the line waiting to buy it,” Ruto said.

“For decades, our continent has carried the heaviest share of the HIV burden. Now we have a chance to help produce one of the newest tools to prevent it. That is justice,” he added.

Focus on Health Security

Nicholas Muraguri, senior advisor on global health diplomacy for the Kenyan government, said the partnership would go beyond distributing the medicine.

“This partnership is not just about distributing a drug; it is about rewriting the mechanics of global health equity,” he said.

Muraguri added that combining an ultra-low-cost, once-monthly pill with local manufacturing would help communities protect themselves while strengthening supply chains.

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Photo of pharmaceutical workers handling medicines in a laboratory
PHOTO/File