MSD partnerships in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda link clinical research, manufacturing and future access.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 30 July 2026 – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) welcomes MSD’s voluntary licensing agreements with three African pharmaceutical manufacturers for an investigational once-monthly oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis candidate known as MK-8527.
The announcement resonates with Africa CDC’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda by advancing innovation along Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain. The public-private collaboration links Africa’s robust clinical research ecosystem with regionalized manufacturing to secure equitable access of high quality, novel health innovations for Africa.
The agreements are established with three African pharmaceutical manufacturers: Aspen Pharmacare in South Africa, Quality Chemicals Industries Limited in Uganda and Universal Corporation Limited in Kenya.
Welcoming the partnership with Aspen Pharmacare, H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said, “This partnership demonstrates confidence not only in South Africa’s capabilities, but in Africa’s ability to manufacture the medicines of the future.”
Placing the announcement within Africa’s wider health sovereignty agenda, H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, said: “This is more than a manufacturing announcement. It demonstrates a new partnership model in which African countries help generate scientific evidence, prepare to manufacture innovative products and, ultimately, improve access for African patients.”
Africa CDC stands ready to work with Member States, regulators, manufacturers and partners to support manufacturing readiness and rapid, equitable access across the continent, including through the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism of a licensed product.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Media contacts:
Communications and Public Information Directorate, Africa CDC: communications@africacdc.org
