Pharma major Merck (known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada) has signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with generic drugmakers Aurobindo Pharma, Cipla, Emcure and Viatris in India to enable supply of its investigational, once-monthly oral pill HIV pill Alimatravir.It has also signed such agreements with three other companies in sub-Saharan Africa. The royalty-free agreements with the seven companies cover both the public and private sectors and will enable supply of generic alimatravir in 129 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for a substantial majority of new HIV diagnoses globally, Merck said recently.Separately, Aurobindo Pharma said executing the agreements before Phase 3 trial enrollment is completed is a first in HIV prevention. It is intended to enable the right scale-up where Aurobindo Pharma is licenced to manufacture and supply generic Alimatravir, which will meet internationally recognised standards following regulatory approvals.“Through this voluntary licensing agreement, we look forward to making alimatravir available across eligible low- and middle-income countries, subject to successful development and regulatory approvals, helping strengthen global efforts towards HIV prevention, Aurobindo’s Associate President and Head – Global Access and Licensing Umesh K said.“We are pleased to be working with Aurobindo and the other manufacturers involved in these voluntary licensing agreements to manufacture generic alimatravir in 129 LMICs, if approved,” Senior vice president, Global HIV Marketing of MSD Gregg Szabo said. Published - July 27, 2026 11:06 pm IST