Kenya is among three African nations selected to manufacture a new, once-monthly HIV prevention pill, alimatravir, under an early licensing agreement with pharmaceutical giant Merck.

• Universal Corporation Limited (UCL), a Kenyan pharmaceutical manufacturer, is one of seven generic drugmakers globally to receive a royalty-free license.
• This marks the first time African generic manufacturers are included from the outset for an investigational HIV prevention medicine.
• The agreement allows for local production of the pill, potentially for African markets, even as final clinical trials are still underway.