Aspen joins Africa push to make MSD’s once-a-month HIV prevention pill

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By Janice Kew, Bloomberg · 26 Jul 2026, 20:07  OVERVIEW OF Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. - JSE:APN Open: 52wk high: 52wk low: Volume: Bid: Offer: 13 Aug 26 eThekwini records lowest official unemployment rate of any SA metro 10 Jul 26 Aspen names Ben Kruger as next chair in board overhaul 6 Jul 26 When directors’ dealings matter (and when they don’t) CLICK THIS COMPANY MORE COMPANY NEWS SENS ASPEN R158.11 31/08/2026 16:22 If approved, alimatravir will become the world's first monthly HIV prevention treatment, offering a more convenient alternative to daily pills. Image: Supplied Aspen Pharmacare has secured the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise an experimental once-monthly HIV prevention pill for 129 low- and middle-income countries, including every African nation. The South African drugmaker is one of three sub-Saharan African manufacturers licensed by Merck & Co, alongside companies in Kenya and Uganda. Their inclusion from the outset marks a first for Merck’s voluntary-licensing programme for an HIV prevention medicine, bringing production closer to the regions expected to use the drug while supporting Africa’s push to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing. This is according to a Friday statement from the company, known as MSD outside the US and Canada. Read: Injectable HIV prevention drug shows promise Gilead’s twice-a-year HIV prevention shot wins FDA approval Alimatravir is being developed as a once-monthly oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, offering an alternative to daily pills. If ongoing late-stage clinical trials are successful and the drug wins regulatory approval, it would become the world’s first monthly oral HIV prevention medicine, a simpler regimen that could improve uptake and adherence, especially among young women and other people at high risk of infection. The announcement comes as South Africa expands its HIV-prevention arsenal, after the introduction of the twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir. Together the products represent a broader shift toward long-acting prevention options designed to make staying HIV-free easier. Read: Aspen hits a 52-week high on news of landmark locally made insulin How Africa’s health nonprofits are making ends meet after USAID cuts South Africa remains at the epicentre of the global HIV epidemic, recording one of the world’s largest numbers of new infections each year despite decades of progress in treatment. Expanding prevention options is widely seen as critical to reducing transmission. Aspen said local production would strengthen healthcare security across the continent and reduce dependence on imported medicines when new prevention technologies become available. Aspen’s shares have gained about 25% this year as investors bet on new manufacturing opportunities, including plans to produce generic versions of blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss medicines. © 2026 Bloomberg Google See more of Moneyweb Google News Follow our coverage Newsletters Get news in your inbox Social Media Join the conversation Social media Follow us on our official channels: TAGS: Aspen Pharmacare |  clinical trials |  diabetes |  Kenya |  lenacapavir |  medicine |  Uganda |  weight loss COMMENTS   0 You must be signed in to comment. SIGN IN SUBSCRIBE or create a free account. Free users can leave 4 comments per month. 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