Gilead signals steps to widen global access to remdesivir for Covid-19 patients

Amid questions about access to remdesivir, its treatment for Covid-19, Gilead Sciences (GILD) says it is pursuing several steps, including licensing agreements with several unnamed companies, to ensure the medicine is supplied to countries beyond the U.S.

Although details were scant, the drug maker indicated there are plans to issue voluntary licenses with “leading chemical and pharmaceutical” manufacturers to produce remdesivir for Europe, Asia and the developing world through 2022. Similarly, negotiations are under way to issue licenses to several generic drug makers in India and Pakistan in order to supply the drug to developing countries.

The company is also holding talks with the Medicines Patent Pool, a United Nations-backed agency that licenses HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C treatments from drug makers in order to provide access in lower-income countries. The agency, which recently expanded its mandate to include Covid-19 products, has previously worked with Gilead on HIV drugs. The company also said UNICEF may distribute the drug.