Islamabad, Oct 3: Ferozsons Laboratories Limited (PSX: FEROZ) has announced a non-exclusive voluntary license agreement with Gilead Sciences Ireland UC to manufacture and sell licensed generic lenacapavir in resource-constrained and high-burden countries.
Ferozsons is among six global partners to secure this agreement with Gilead, enabling them to produce a high-quality generic version of lenacapavir, which is approved by the US FDA for treating HIV in heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) patients and is under investigation for HIV prevention.
The agreement allows Ferozsons to manufacture and sell lenacapavir in 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries, contingent upon regulatory approvals. The company will receive a technology transfer from Gilead to facilitate production scaling.
Lenacapavir is available in two forms: an injectable solution and an oral tablet, with the injectable version set to be produced at Ferozsons’ joint venture subsidiary, BF Biosciences Limited, and the oral variant at their oral solid dosage facility.
Lenacapavir functions through a multi-stage mechanism of action, distinguishing it from other antiviral agents that typically target one stage of viral replication.
It is currently being evaluated in various clinical studies as a long-acting option for both HIV treatment and prevention. The safety and efficacy of lenacapavir for prevention have yet to be established.
Gilead Sciences, a US-based biopharmaceutical company, focuses on innovative medicines for life-threatening illnesses and operates in over 35 countries worldwide.
