Boehringer Ingelheim patent rights ‘do not prevent drug access’

Boehringer Ingelheim has stated that its patent rights to HIV treatment Viramune (nevirapine) do not prevent those in low income countries gaining access to generic versions of the compound.

It notes that it has, to date, issued seven voluntary licenses to companies producing generic versions of the drug for use in developing countries, with the company being receptive to other similar plans for the production of generics.

The company is restating its commitment to providing licenses to generic production of Viramune as a means of those in developing countries to have access to treatment in addition to other programmes, including drug donation, reducing pricing and the dedication to further drug development.

“The company made this [commitment] clear as an addition step to help provide access to life-saving therapy in developing countries,” Boehringer Ingelheim reports.

It added that in its HIV research, special attention is paid to paediatric indications of compounds, with Viramune authorised for use in many countries and Aptivus currently undergoing clinical trials for use in children.

Boehringer Ingelheim recently published the results of its 24-week Resist studies researching the efficacy of Aptivus (tipranavir), showing the compound provided a durable treatment response in HIV-1 infected patients.