STAT+: Merck strikes voluntary licensing deals in poor countries for an experimental HIV prevention pill

STAT PlusPharmalot Merck strikes voluntary licensing deals in poor countries for an experimental HIV prevention pill The royalty-free agreements allow generic makers to sell its pill to the public and private sector Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJuly 24, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Amid rising concern over efforts to contain HIV, Merck has reached voluntary licensing deals with seven companies to make generic versions of an experimental, once-a-month prevention pill in 129 low- and middle-income countries. The agreements will allow the manufacturers — three of which are based in Africa and four in India — to sell generic versions to both public and private buyers, which is designed to ensure the medicine becomes available to the widest possible population. Moreover, the deals are royalty free, which makes it easier for the generic companies to predict costs.Advertisement The timing of the announcement is notable because Merck is striking these deals while its medicine, known as alimatravir, is currently undergoing a pair of late-stage clinical trials. By doing so now, the company believes it will help the generic makers plan for wide-scale production and the necessary steps to receive regulatory approvals around the world. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In drug pricing, HIV/AIDS, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, public health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot July 23, 2026 STAT Plus: European regulators take steps to bolster clinical trial transparency Pharmalot July 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Lilly obesity drug data, a push for FDA to ban DTC ads, and more Advertisement Pharmalot July 23, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA is urged by advocacy group to ban DTC prescription drug ads Pharmalot July 22, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s plan for tariffs on generics, a Merck and Gilead HIV pill, and more Pharmalot July 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Novo suing Lilly over ‘deceptive’ ads, a fugitive’s secret life in biotech, and more Subscriber Picks