By Desire Uzochukwu
Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturer, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has secured a major role in the global effort to expand access to influenza treatment after being selected by the Medicines Patent Pool, MPP, as one of 11 manufacturers to develop and produce a generic version of Roche’s baloxavir marboxil.
The selection places Fidson among manufacturers in nine countries that will operate under MPP’s voluntary licensing agreement with Roche, potentially making the antiviral medicine available in 129 countries, subject to regulatory approval.
The development, announced in New York on September 24, 2026, came as global health leaders gathered on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to deliberate on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
The sublicensing agreements are expected to expand manufacturing capacity, diversify supply chains and strengthen regional production of influenza treatment ahead of future outbreaks and pandemics.
Reacting to the development, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Biola Adebayo, described the selection as a recognition of the company’s commitment to quality pharmaceutical manufacturing and improved healthcare outcomes.
Adebayo said: “Being selected by the Medicines Patent Pool as a sublicensee under the Roche-MPP voluntary licensing programme for baloxavir marboxil is both an honour and a validation of Fidson’s longstanding commitment to quality-assured pharmaceutical manufacturing, innovation, and improving healthcare outcomes.
“As an African healthcare company, we are proud to contribute to global efforts aimed at strengthening regional health security, enhancing preparedness for future health emergencies, and ensuring that life-saving medicines reach the patients who need them most.”
He said the partnership would reinforce the growing role of African pharmaceutical manufacturers in the global health ecosystem.
Adebayo added that Fidson looked forward to working with Roche, MPP and other stakeholders to broaden access to the antiviral medicine across eligible markets and contribute to a more resilient healthcare system.
Executive Director of MPP, Charles Gore, said the sublicensing agreements represented a major step in translating the voluntary licence signed with Roche in May 2026 into concrete action.
Gore said: “We are now moving into implementation with manufacturers across multiple regions. This is exactly the kind of work that needs to happen before, rather than during, a health emergency.”
According to him, MPP would work with the manufacturers to support product development and regulatory approval, with the aim of making quality-assured generic baloxavir available as quickly as possible.
He added that combining global manufacturing capacity with regionally focused production would help create a more geographically diverse and resilient supply base.
Also speaking, Roche Vice President and Head of Global Policy, Tamara Schudel, said the move from the initial agreement to actual sublicensing represented an important milestone in pandemic preparedness.
She said voluntary partnerships remained critical to enabling rapid and effective responses to future health emergencies.
Director for Africa, Resilience Action Network International, Aggrey Aluso, said pandemic preparedness required action before a crisis occurred.
Aluso said strengthening regional manufacturing and developing diverse supply and access pathways would help prevent low- and middle-income countries from being left behind during future health emergencies.
“Pandemic preparedness is about acting before a crisis hits,” he said.
Under the voluntary licence, manufacturers can develop, manufacture and supply generic versions of baloxavir marboxil in 129 countries, covering nearly all low- and middle-income countries, subject to regulatory authorisation.
The agreement provides manufacturers with access to a technical data package, reference products for bioequivalence studies and other support to facilitate regulatory approval and accelerate availability.
Fidson was selected following an open Expression of Interest process launched after the Roche-MPP agreement was signed in May. MPP assessed applicants based on their technical and regulatory capacities and commitment to developing and manufacturing quality-assured baloxavir products.
Other selected manufacturers are Laurus Labs and MSN in India; Desano and Guilin Pharma (Fosun) in China; Biolab & Co. in Brazil; Kimia Farma in Indonesia; Hovid in Malaysia; QCIL in Uganda; Lekhim in Ukraine; and Stellapharm in Vietnam.
The initiative is expected to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity closer to the regions and populations that need the products, while diversifying global supply pathways for influenza treatment and improving preparedness for future outbreaks and pandemics.
