Bristol-Myers Squibb signs new agreement to expand access to Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) in sub-Saharan Africa and India

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced a new agreement to expand access to Reyataz® (atazanavir sulfate). the immunity-from-suit agreement signed with Matrix Laboratories Limited, a Mylan Company, enables the generic company to manufacture and sell atazanavir, as well as stavudine and didanosine, in sub-Saharan Africa and India.

“The HIV treatment landscape has changed dramatically since 2001, when we first began our Global Access Program to help expand the availability of low-cost HIV medicines in the developing world,” said Frank Pasqualone, president, Intercontinental Region, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Atazanavir is an important component of HIV combination therapy and this agreement facilitates broader availability of the medicine to help ensure patients can access appropriate treatment regimens.”

The immunity-from-suit agreement with Matrix Laboratories is the fifteenth agreement that Bristol-Myers Squibb has signed for its HIV medicines, and the fourth for atazanavir. A key component of the agreement is the inclusion of pediatric formulations of the medicines to support the treatment needs of children with HIV. Under the terms of the agreement, Matrix Laboratories will secure World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for all products covered by the agreement, including pediatric formulations of didanosine and, in the future, atazanavir powder formulation for pediatric use when Bristol-Myers Squibb’s product is available. WHO prequalification enables procurement organizations to purchase medicines using funding from United Nations agencies and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.