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LONDON - ViiV Healthcare has updated its voluntary licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to include patents for cabotegravir’s use in long-acting HIV treatment regimens, the company announced Monday. ViiV Healthcare is majority owned by GSK (NYSE: GSK), a prominent player in the pharmaceuticals industry with a market capitalization of $77.1 billion and robust annual revenue of $40.7 billion.
The expanded agreement will allow generic manufacturers to develop, manufacture and supply generic long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB LA) for HIV treatment in 133 countries, including least-developed, low-income, lower middle-income, and Sub-Saharan African nations.
This builds upon the existing voluntary license for cabotegravir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and follows updated guidance from the World Health Organization recommending long-acting injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine as an HIV treatment option.
Under the agreement, current licensees Aurobindo, Cipla, and Viatris will be able to develop and supply generic versions of CAB LA for use in combination with long-acting rilpivirine for HIV-1 treatment in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg, subject to regulatory approvals.
"Long-acting injectables have the potential to transform HIV treatment," said Deborah Waterhouse, CEO at ViiV Healthcare, which is majority owned by GSK with Pfizer and Shionogi as shareholders. GSK’s strong financial position is reflected in its impressive 71.92% gross profit margin and 25-year track record of consistent dividend payments. According to InvestingPro analysis, GSK is currently trading below its Fair Value, suggesting potential upside opportunity.
Charles Gore, Executive Director at MPP, noted that the organization’s previous agreement with ViiV for dolutegravir has enabled the supply of generic DTG-based HIV treatments in 129 countries, adding that they hope "a similar coverage can be achieved for CAB LA." Want deeper insights into GSK’s financial health and growth potential? InvestingPro subscribers have access to over 30 additional financial metrics and expert analysis, including exclusive ProTips and comprehensive research reports.
Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes at WHO, welcomed the expansion, stating it aligns with WHO’s new recommendation of long-acting injectable antiretrovirals as an alternative for people who are virologically suppressed but face adherence challenges with daily oral regimens.
According to the press release statement, ViiV Healthcare has been providing technical know-how to support generic manufacturers in developing and increasing access to CAB LA.
In other recent news, GSK has made significant strides in expanding its medical offerings. The company has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to extend the use of its RSV vaccine, Arexvy, to younger adults under 50 who are at higher risk of the disease. This move aims to broaden the vaccine’s availability beyond its current approval for older adults. Additionally, GSK has commenced the shipment of its trivalent seasonal flu vaccines, FLULAVAL and FLUARIX, to healthcare providers in preparation for the 2025-26 flu season. These vaccines, approved by the FDA, are intended for individuals aged six months and older.
GSK has also completed a $2 billion acquisition of efimosfermin alfa from Boston Pharmaceuticals, enhancing its pipeline for liver disease treatment. This acquisition includes a combination of upfront and milestone payments, and efimosfermin is a phase III-ready medicine targeting steatotic liver disease. Furthermore, the European Medicines Agency has begun reviewing GSK’s application to expand the use of Arexvy to adults aged 18 and over, with a decision expected by the first half of 2026. These developments reflect GSK’s ongoing efforts to broaden its product offerings and address various health challenges.
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