In order to create generic versions of a drug designed to minimize the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Pfizer company reported this Tuesday to grant licenses to various companies, that will facilitate access to this drug to the world’s vulnerable population.

According to the announcement made by the US pharmaceutical company, the agreement signed with the Common Fund for Pharmacological Patents (MPP) will favor the additional production and distribution of the antiviral (on investigation), pending authorization / regulatory approval, through the sublicense to qualified generic drug manufacturers.

MPP Executive Charles Gore emphasized that this license is so important because, if licensed or approved, this oral drug is especially suitable for low and middle income countries, and could play a critical role in saving lives, contributing to global efforts to fight the current pandemic. PF-07321332 will be taken alongside ritonavir, an HIV drug, and we will work with generic companies to ensure that there is a sufficient supply for both COVID -19 as for HIV.

For his part, Albert Bourla, president and CEO of Pfizer, indicated that the company under his command maintains its commitment to contribute scientific advances that help end this pandemic period for all people.

“We believe that oral antiviral treatments can play a critical role in reducing the severity of COVID-19 infections, easing pressure on our healthcare systems and saving lives. We must work to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, have access to these advances, and we are pleased to be able to work with MPP to further our commitment to equity”, he said.

Technical details: ‘Paxlovid’ (PF-07321332) is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor antiviral treatment specifically designed to be administered orally so that it can be prescribed at the first sign of infection or upon awareness from exposure, which could help patients avoid serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and death.

It is designed to block the protease activity of SARS-CoV-2-3CL, an enzyme that the coronavirus needs to replicate. Co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir helps slow the metabolism, or breakdown, of PF-07321332 so that it remains active in the body for longer at higher concentrations to help fight the virus.

89% reduction in risk of hospitalization or death according to an interim analysis of ‘EPIC-HR’ study, the antiviral showed an 89% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death from any cause related to COVID-19 compared to placebo in patients treated within three days of symptom onset.

Pfizer will not receive royalties for sales in low-income countries and will also waive those for sales in all countries covered by the agreement as long as COVID-19 remains classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Interest by the World Organization. of Health (WHO).

With this agreement, Pfizer is moving along the same path as its competitor Merck, which signed a similar agreement with MPP for its own oral anticovid, molnupiravir, which also exhibits a strong efficacy rate.