Roche to expand access to CMV therapy Valcyte

Roche has announced a new agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool that will make its cytomegalovirus (CMV) therapy Valcyte more widely available in developing and emerging nations.

The supply arrangement will see the organisations allying to make the product 90 percent cheaper in 138 developing and emerging countries than is currently the case, with more countries to be added to the initial scope if there is a need.

CMV is a viral infection that can result in a loss of vision and greater risk of death in people living with HIV, affecting around one in ten people with HIV in low and middle-income countries.

This partnership will also see Roche and the Medicines Patent Pool exploring a licensing and technology transfer as a second step, thus helping local production of Valcyte and further increasing access to the drug.

Daniel O'Day, chief operating officer of Roche Pharma, said: "Our aim is to provide access to affordable Valcyte that is produced under quality conditions and increase the number of people who access and benefit from our products."

Earlier this year, the company outlined plans to expand access to its clinical trial data, as part of efforts to improve the transparency of industry practices.