Mylan has entered into an exclusive agreement with Zyomyx for the rights to distribute Zyomyx’s proprietary point-of-care (POC) CD4 T-cell count test in the developing world. CD4 count testing is a critical diagnostic component in treating HIV/AIDS, as medical professionals refer to a patient’s CD4 count to determine when to begin and/or alter HIV treatment. As part of the agreement, Mylan also has made a strategic equity investment in Zyomyx.
Under the terms of the distribution and supply agreement, Zyomyx will supply the POC CD4 test to Mylan, and Mylan will pay development and commercial milestones and a share of profits to Zyomyx for the exclusive rights to distribute the POC CD4 test in Africa; Asia (excluding Japan and South Korea but including (without limitation) Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East); CEE; CIS; South America and Central America (including Mexico); and the Caribbean Islands.
Further, simultaneous with the execution of the distribution and supply agreement, Mylan made a strategic equity investment in Zyomyx and entered into an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide improved and affordable CD4 testing access to patients in high burden HIV countries. All other terms of the agreements are confidential.
The Zyomyx POC CD4 test is currently in final stages of development and is expected to be launched in the near-term, pending applicable regulatory approvals. Mylan expects to distribute the portable, easy-to-use, low-cost test in the developing world alongside its broad portfolio of high quality, affordable generic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in order to improve access to and guide HIV/AIDS treatment in resource-limited settings. To complement the exclusive agreement with Zyomyx, Mylan also announced that it has signed a Global Access Commitment with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an investor in Zyomyx. Mylan has committed to ensuring that the Zyomyx POC CD4 technology can be made available and accessible at a reasonable price in high burden HIV countries. Increasing access to affordable and effective health interventions for those in need is a priority for the foundation.
Rajiv Malik, President, Mylan added, “Zyomyx’s CD4 test is a revolutionary technology that couldn’t come at a better time. The World Health Organization’s revised antiretroviral treatment guidelines increase the number of people living with HIV and eligible for treatment to close to 26 million, and pregnant women are now advised to start treatment as soon as they test positive. The more quickly patients can receive CD4 testing, the more quickly they can access life-saving medicine. Mylan’s investment in Zyomyx is just one step in our efforts to support the goal of universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment.”
EP News Bureau – Mumbai
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