Like Merck, Pfizer strikes a licensing deal with the Medicines Patents Pool

Amid considerable anticipation over its Covid-19 pill, Pfizer (PFE) reached a licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool, which in turn can now strike deals with other manufacturers to provide generic versions of the drug to 95 low and middle-income countries.

The agreement follows a similar arrangement with Merck (MRK) concerning its own antiviral pill for combating the coronavirus. Notably, this also marks only the second time that a pharmaceutical company has struck a licensing deal with the Medicines Patent Pool — a public health organization backed by the United Nations — to widen access to a Covid-19 medical product. Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free! GET STARTED STAT+ is STAT’s premium subscription service for in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis. Our award-winning team covers news on Wall Street, policy developments in Washington, early science breakthroughs and clinical trial results, and health care disruption in Silicon Valley and beyond. What’s included? Daily reporting and analysis The most comprehensive industry coverage from a powerhouse team of reporters Subscriber-only newsletters Daily newsletters to brief you on the most important industry news of the day STAT+ Conversations Weekly opportunities to engage with our reporters and leading industry experts in live video conversations Exclusive industry events Premium access to subscriber-only networking events around the country The best reporters in the industry The most trusted and well-connected newsroom in the health care industry And much more Exclusive interviews with industry leaders, profiles, and premium tools, like our CRISPR Trackr. This name will appear with your comment
https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2021/11/16/covid19-patents-merck-pfizer/