RALTEGRAVIR (RAL) PAEDIATRICS
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) signed a licence agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) for raltegravir (RAL) for paediatric use. The WHO recommends raltegravir as a second-line treatment for children from four weeks to the age of three.
The licence covers at least 92 countries covering 98% of children living with HIV in low and middle-income countries. The licence also allows additional countries, where RAL is not patented, to procure generic versions.
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Eligibility for sublicences | Sublicences can be issued to any qualified entity worldwide. |
Manufacturing | Allows manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the finished formulations of RAL anywhere in the world. |
Geographical scope for sale | Allows for sale of paediatric RAL in at least 92 countries where 98.1% of children living with HIV in the developing world reside (see “Sales outside the licensed territory”). |
Sales outside the licensed territory | Sales to countries outside the 92 countries are permitted if no granted patent is being infringed. This includes cases in which a compulsory licence has been issued. |
Royalties | The license is royalty free. |
Quality assurance | Licensees must obtain approval from WHO Pre-qualification, or a Stringent Regulatory Authority. |
Combinations | Sublicensees have the right to combine RAL with other ARVs and to develop suitable new fixed-dose combinations. |
Data exclusivity | Data exclusivity is waived in countries with such form of protection, thus facilitating regulatory approval of generics. |
Patent disclosure | The licence discloses the list of pending and granted patents on RAL in the 92 countries at the time of licence signing. |
Additional flexibilities for licensees | Licensees have the right to challenge any of the licensed patents. |