Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced a technology transfer agreement with the Brazilian Ministry of Health to expand access to Reyataz® (atazanavir sulfate) in Brazil. The agreement is designed to build the capacity and skills required for the Brazilian government to produce a sustainable, high quality supply of atazanavir and will enable the government to become, over time, the sole source of atazanavir in Brazil.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has worked collaboratively with the government of Brazil for many years to help improve and sustain access to HIV therapy in the country, in recognition of the government's demonstrated commitment to universal access.
"The Company's technology transfer agreement is an innovative evolution of a longstanding collaboration that will ensure a sustainable supply of atazanavir in the future for the many patients who can benefit from the therapy in Brazil," said Mark Pavao, president, Emerging Markets, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "The agreement also provides an opportunity to increase access to this medicine and supports the Brazilian government's interests in the further development of its local pharmaceutical manufacturing base."
The agreement transfers the manufacture and distribution of atazanavir sulfate 200 mg and 300 mg capsules in Brazil from Bristol-Myers Squibb to Farmanguinhos, a technical-scientific unit of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) and the largest official pharmaceutical laboratory of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and to a yet to be named local manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
Bristol-Myers Squibb has a longstanding commitment to increasing access to HIV medicines in resource-limited settings. This agreement, which is specific to Brazil, is one example of the Company's collaboration with partners in civil society and government in our shared responsibility to expand access to HIV therapy.
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