Quality Chemical adds influenza drug to malaria, HIV portfolio

What the report says

Quality Chemical Industries Limited (QCIL), the Uganda-based drug maker, has signed a sublicence with the Medicines Patent Pool to produce a generic version of baloxavir marboxil, the influenza medicine sold by Roche as Xofluza. Uganda Business News reported that the deal was disclosed on 25 September after a side event at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and that the drug is intended for supply in 129 low- and middle-income countries.

According to the report, QCIL is one of 11 manufacturers covered by Roche’s voluntary licence to the Medicines Patent Pool. It is the only sublicensee based in East Africa. The article said no financial terms were made public. Under the licence framework, royalties vary by country income level and end when patents expire in each market. QCIL still has to complete development, quality and regulatory steps before it can begin sales.

QCIL chief executive Ajay Kumar Pal said in the company statement that the agreement would allow the firm to use its manufacturing and regulatory experience for an important influenza treatment and help broaden access while strengthening African manufacturing capacity. The company did not give a timetable for development or commercial supply. The report also noted that baloxavir is a single-dose antiviral, which can make large-scale use easier than older multi-day treatments.

For QCIL, the move extends a business built around WHO-prequalified malaria and HIV medicines into a third therapy area. Uganda Business News said the agreement has limited near-term revenue potential, but it could enhance the company’s manufacturing profile and support wider preparedness efforts for future influenza outbreaks.