NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyan pharmaceutical manufacturer Universal Corporation Limited (UCL) has secured a landmark licensing agreement with global drug maker Merck to manufacture generic versions of a new once-monthly HIV prevention pill, marking a major milestone for Kenya’s pharmaceutical industry and expanding the country’s role in global healthcare manufacturing.
The agreement places UCL among just seven manufacturers selected worldwide to produce and supply generic versions of alimatravir, an experimental HIV prevention medicine currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials.
The royalty-free licensing arrangement covers 129 countries and is intended to accelerate access to the drug if it receives regulatory approval.
The selection also positions Kenya among a small group of African nations expected to play a central role in manufacturing one of the next generation of HIV prevention medicines.
Kenya Among Selected Global Manufacturers
Merck announced that UCL Kenya will manufacture the medicine alongside six other pharmaceutical companies from Africa and India under licensing agreements designed to improve access to HIV prevention products in low- and middle-income countries.
The other African companies selected are South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare and Uganda’s Quality Chemical Industries.
The agreements allow the manufacturers to begin preparations for production ahead of regulatory approval, reducing the time it would take for eligible countries to access affordable generic versions once the medicine is authorised.
The development is expected to strengthen Kenya’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity while supporting the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for medicine production.
New Monthly HIV Prevention Pill
Alimatravir, also known as MK-8527, is being developed as a once-monthly oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine for people who are HIV-negative but at risk of contracting the virus.
If approved, it would provide an alternative to existing daily oral PrEP medication by requiring only one pill every month to maintain protection.
Health experts believe a monthly regimen could improve adherence among people who struggle to take medication every day, potentially increasing the effectiveness of HIV prevention programmes.
Merck says the medicine is designed to begin providing protection within about one hour after administration and maintain protective drug levels in the body for approximately one month.
How the Drug Works
Alimatravir belongs to a class of medicines known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitors (NRTTIs).
The drug works by blocking HIV from copying its genetic material inside human cells through two complementary mechanisms that interrupt the formation of viral DNA, a critical step in the virus’s replication process.
By preventing the virus from establishing infection after exposure, the medicine is designed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission among individuals at high risk.
The drug remains under evaluation in Phase Three clinical trials to determine its safety and effectiveness before regulatory authorities consider approval.
Kenya Playing Key Role in Clinical Trials
Kenya is also contributing directly to the medicine’s development through ongoing international clinical trials.
One Phase Three study, known as EXPrESSIVE-10, is evaluating alimatravir among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.
A second study, EXPrESSIVE-11, is assessing the drug among populations at elevated risk of HIV infection across several countries, including Kenya.
Merck said it decided to conclude licensing agreements before the completion of the trials to minimise delays in making the medicine available should it receive regulatory approval.
Boost for Kenya’s Pharmaceutical Industry
The agreement represents one of the most significant international manufacturing opportunities secured by a Kenyan pharmaceutical company in recent years.
It comes as Kenya continues investing in local pharmaceutical production to reduce reliance on imported medicines while positioning domestic manufacturers to supply regional and international markets.
Participation in the production of a globally important HIV prevention medicine is expected to enhance Kenya’s manufacturing capabilities, create employment opportunities and strengthen technology transfer within the sector.
HIV Burden Remains High
Despite significant progress in HIV prevention and treatment, Kenya continues to carry one of the largest HIV burdens in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), approximately 1.48 million people were living with HIV in Kenya in 2026.
The agency estimates that nearly 14,000 new HIV infections and more than 19,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred during the year, while adult HIV prevalence among people aged 15 to 49 stands at about 3.2 per cent.