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Aspen - MSD grants Aspen generic ARV license for Efavirenz

Release Date: 19/07/2005 09:48
Code(s): APN
Wrap Text

Aspen - MSD grants Aspen generic ARV license for Efavirenz Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration Number 1985/002935/06) (Share code APN ISIN: number ZAE000066692 ("Aspen") MSD grants Aspen generic ARV license for Efavirenz Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) SA (a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.,) has granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free patent license for the manufacture and supply of a generic version of efavirenz, (one of MSD"s antiretrovirals (ARV"s), used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, to Aspen Pharmacare, Africa"s leading generics manufacturer. "We applaud MSD and Aspen"s announcement of their efforts to increase access to antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. This announcement is in line with the government"s commitment to the Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment Plan for South Africa," said Dr Humphrey Zokufa, Registrar of the Medicines Control Council (MCC). "The announcement of this license is welcomed as it is an indication of MSD and Aspen"s firm commitment to local investment in South Africa, and to building a local pharmaceutical industry," said Lionel October, Deputy Director -General of Enterprise and Industry Development, Department of Trade and Industry. "MSD"s decision to grant Aspen a generic license for efavirenz, illustrates our commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The terms of this agreement will ensure the supply of efavirenz to South Africa. MSD will continue to supply STOCRIN (efavirenz) to Southern Africa at not-for-profit prices. The granting of this license is an important element of MSD"s continuing efforts to accelerate access to AIDS medicines and to help patients living with HIV in South Africa. This decision follows our recent announcement of the second phase of the upgrade of our local manufacturing facility in Midrand for the manufacture of STOCRIN," said Chirfi Guindo, local CEO of MSD SA." Stephen Saad, Aspen Group CEO said "this agreement amplifies Aspen"s continued commitment to fighting the HIV/Aids pandemic and we view our relationship with MSD as a valuable contributor toward this effort. Efavirenz is a welcome addition to our existing ARV basket which is presently comprised of Aspen Stavudine, Aspen Didanosine, Aspen Nevirapine, Aspen Lamivudine (Tablets and Solution), Aspen Zidovudine (Tablets and Solution) and Aspen Lamzid (combination Lamivudine/Zidovudine). Aspen was recently awarded the lion"s share of the SA Government"s multi-million rand ARV tender, which acknowledges the Group"s commitment to local manufacture, pioneering the formulation and development of generic ARVs under voluntary licences from the originators and launching Africa"s first generic ARV." The announcement is in keeping with MSD SA and Aspen"s commitment to improved access to HIV/AIDS care and treatment. In 2004 MSD established the MSD Msizi Trust aimed at fighting HIV/Aids in South Africa. ends For more information, contact: Mr. Chirfi Guindo, MSD SA CEO Tel: (011) 655 3000 Cell: 082 417 9405 Ms. Seara Macheli, MSD Director, Legal and Corporate Affairs Tell: (011) 655 3000 Cell: 082 886 6565 Stephen Saad, Aspen Pharmacare Group CEO Tel: (031) 268 9506 Cell: 083 303 4833 Gus Attridge, Aspen Pharmacare Deputy Group CEO Tel: (031) 268 9505 Cell: 083 628 8813 Issued by: Lindy Goodfellow (Public Relations Manager) Shauneen Beukes For MSD SA For Aspen Pharmacare Tel: (011) 655 3054 Tel & Fax: (012) 661-8467 Cell: 083 442 5557 Cell: 082 389 8900 About the Aspen Group South African based JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) listed Aspen is Africa"s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer and a major supplier of branded pharmaceutical and healthcare products to southern African and selected international markets. Aspen has an extensive basket of quality, effective and affordable products in the branded, generic, over-the-counter (OTC), personal care, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), nutriceutical and infant nutritional formulations (INFs) categories. Aspen became the world"s first pharmaceutical manufacturer to be granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manufacture combination therapy generic anti-retroviral (ARVs) in a co-packed form. This was enabled through voluntary licences from GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingleheim and underscores Aspen"s scientific and technical capabilities, its manufacturing and quality standards, and GMP compliances. Aspen endorses transformation and broad based black economic empowerment (BEE) as a vehicle to empowering historically disadvantaged South Africans and Aspen"s two strategic BEE partners include CEPPWAWU Investments, the investment arm of the COSATU Affiliated Union CEPPWAWU and Imithi Investments (Pty) Limited, a broad based consortium consisting of parties operational in the Southern African healthcare industry and a number of community advancement organizations. Aspen"s total BEE shareholding exceeds 17%. In 2004 Aspen acquired 100% of the shares of Cape Town based Fine Chemicals Corporation (Pty) Ltd (FCC) which is South Africa"s leading off-patent active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturer and a significant exporter of API to the USA. As part of a memorandum of understanding, Aspen is currently in negotiation with Indian based Matrix Laboratories Limited (Matrix) in which 50% of Aspen"s current 100% shareholding in FCC will be sold to Matrix. The deal complements Aspen"s efforts to secure a strong supply source for APIs for some of Aspen"s key products. Aspen"s off shore subsidiaries contribute toward the Group"s strategy of establishing a presence in selected geographic areas. Co-Pharma operates in the UK market, while UK based Aspen Resources is an intellectual property owning subsidiary of Aspen Holdings. Aspen Pharmacare Australia continues to complement the Aspen Group"s off shore strategy of increased growth in selected off-shore territories and it is an extension of the Group"s worldwide network of strategic alliances offering a range of products in niche market areas. For more information about Aspen, click on www.aspenpharma.com About Merck Sharp & Dohme Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) South Africa is a subsidiary of the global, research- based pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ USA. MSD discovers, develops and markets a broad range of products designed to save lives, improve human health and enhance patients" quality of life. The company employs 300 people in South Africa, and operates a state-of-the -art manufacturing plant in Midrand, the site of MSD South Africa"s head office. MSD has, since March 2001, made its two HIV products, STOCRIN and CRIXIVAN, available at not - for - profit prices in South Africa and to all sub-Saharan countries. South Africa benefits from the lowest prices offered for these two products, which are lower than or comparable to prices of generic versions of the medicines (for example, the price of Efavirenz 600 mg is R 6, 37 per day (or USD 0, 95 per day). Reference: `Untangling the Web of Price Reductions, June 2005, www.accessmed - msf.org). MSD"s products are novel medicines that represent true advances in patient care. MSD is recognised internationally for its research in many areas, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, HIV / AIDS, osteoporosis, asthma, migraine, opthalmics, arthritis, male pattern hair loss, anti-infectives, oncology, diabetes and vaccines. For more information, visit www.merck.com Date: 19/07/2005 09:48:34 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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