In 2010, Unitaid created and invested in the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to negotiate voluntary licenses for HIV medicines. Its mandate was later extended to cover medicines for tuberculosis and hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Since then, more than 4.7 billion tablets, equivalent to 2.9 million patient-years, have been supplied by sublicensees to people living with HIV, HCV and TB in 131 countries. Savings arising from the generic versions of these treatments have amounted to at least US$ 312 million.
The MPP manages 100 projects with pharmaceutical manufacturers to help speed the availability of quality-assured generic versions of new treatments, including fixed-dose combinations.
To date, the MPP has signed agreements with nine patent holders for 12 HIV antiretrovirals, two HCV direct-acting antivirals, one TB treatment and one HIV technology platform.
MPP licenses enable the manufacturing of generic ARVs and their sale in developing countries that are home to between 87 and 91 percent of people living with HIV.
The MPP is also working to ensure access to new treatments for TB, including drug-resistant strains. Similar to its role in HIV, the MPP has signed a licensing agreement with Johns Hopkins University for the clinical development of drug candidate sutezolid.
“New public health mechanisms such as the MPP are desperately needed to address pressing access to medicines challenges.” Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny Chair, MPP
Through its innovative business model, the MPP partners with governments, industry, civil society, international organizations, patient groups and other stakeholders to forecast, prioritize and license needed medicines. The organization encourages generic manufacture and the development of new formulations through patent pooling.