AbbVie signs agreement with Medicines Patent Pool for lopinavir and retonavir in pediatric HIV

US drugmaker AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and the Medicines Patent Pool have agreed a licensing agreement for lopinavir and ritonavir, the medicines recommended by the World Health Organization for children with HIV.

This will enable other companies to re-formulate and manufacture lopinavir/ritonavir and ritonavir as a monotherapy for distribution in low- and middle-income countries where 99% of the children who have HIV in the developing world live.

Greg Perry, executive director of the Medicines Patent Pool, said: “LPV/r in its current form is not suitable for those most vulnerable, infants and toddlers living with HIV. Now, MPP and its partners have the green light to speed the development and distribution of new formulations for young children, the vast majority of whom have no access to HIV therapy.” LPV/r-based regimens are now the WHO-preferred option for first-line treatment in children less than three years of age and second-line for older children.”