[Ip-health] Aspen press release on GSK voluntary license

[love@cptech.org]

http://www.aspenpharmacare.co.za/showarticle.php?id=135
 
  
ASPEN PHARMACARE RECEIVE VOLUNTARY LICENSE FROM GLAXOSMITHKLINE ON
ANTI-RETROVIRAL PATENTS IN SA
 2001-10-08 
 

As part of its global commitment to improving access to safe and
effective medicines in the developing world, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have
granted a voluntary license within South Africa to Aspen Pharmacare on
GSK's anti-retroviral patents over zidovudine (Retrovir-AZT), lamivudine
(Epivir-3TC) and the zidovudine and lamivudine combination (Combivir).
These products are currently the most extensively used anti-retrovirals
in the South African market. Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc., the
patent holders of lamivudine, and GlaxoSmithKline, the patent holders of
zidovudine, have agreed to waive their rights to royalty payments on
these products. 

Material terms to the agreement include:

local manufacture by Aspen Pharmacare;

a limitation on distribution to include only the South African public
sector (government), non-governmental organisations and other charitable
non-profit making organisations accredited by the World Health
Organisation; and

a 30% fee on net sales to be paid to an NGO, or NGOs, that manage
programmes related to HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

The NGO(s) chosen will utilise the funds generated for programmes to
address the challenge of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Such programmes could
embrace education and awareness, training, infrastructure development
and treatment.

"GlaxoSmithKline is committed to playing a full and responsible part in
the search for sustainable approaches to the healthcare challenges of
the developing world," said Howard Pien, President, Pharmaceuticals
International at GlaxoSmithKline. "As South Africa's largest generic
company and the largest supplier of medicines to the public sector in
South Africa, Aspen Pharmacare is a natural partner for us in this
endeavour."

"Through this partnership, we seek to make a meaningful contribution to
the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa," Pien
continued. "We hope the licensing agreement will also support the local
manufacturing base in the country. GSK also wishes to acknowledge the
important contribution made by Shire, who have waived their rights to
royalty payments on these products." 

Stephen Saad, Group CEO of Aspen Pharmacare said: "We are privileged to
have received these voluntary licenses from GSK through which we will
now be able to offer to government more affordable anti-retrovirals for
the greater South African population. This, together with the licenses
received from Bristol-Myers Squibb (didanosine and stavudine) gives
Aspen Pharmacare a broad spectrum of the more important
anti-retrovirals. We are committed to providing South Africa with
cost-effective anti-retrovirals." 

"The fee we are paying to the NGOs - together with the discounted
anti-retrovirals shortly to be available from Aspen Pharmacare - can be
utilised by government to assist in finding a total healthcare solution
for HIV/AIDS in this country." Saad said. "Access to medicines is a
complex challenge and, although cheaper anti-retrovirals are important,
there are many other aspects that have to be addressed urgently, such as
distribution infrastructure and compliance. As a South African company,
we are proud to partner with GlaxoSmithKline at the forefront of this
initiative."