HIV/AIDS

The agreement covers 129 countries, including all African nations, and gives Aspen rights across both public and private healthcare sectors.

The replenishment will restore supplies at facilities in Tshwane, Johannesburg and Sedibeng that experienced temporary shortages after demand exceeded initial projections following the programme’s rollout in June 2026.

Community advocacy contributed to an Indonesian Ministry of Health regulation that allows young people under 18 to be accompanied not only by parents but also by community members and outreach workers when accessing HIV testing.

The 95-95-95 targets aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those receiving treatment to achieve viral suppression.

The licensing agreement will allow UCL to manufacture and supply generic alimatravir in African countries and other markets covered by the agreement, subject to successful clinical development and regulatory approval.

Under the agreements, MSD will work with Aspen Pharmacare in South Africa, Quality Chemicals Industries Limited (QCIL) in Uganda and Universal Corporation Limited (UCL) in Kenya.

The agreements are nonexclusive and cover Aspen Pharmacare, Quality Chemical Industries and UCL Kenya in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Aurobindo, Cipla, Emcure and Viatris in India.

The guidance updates dosing recommendations for several widely used paediatric antiretroviral medicines, including dolutegravir and the combination of abacavir and lamivudine.

Researchers presented the findings at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.