AbbVie gives up patent rights to HIV med Kaletra amid COVID-19 tests: report

With international scrutiny focusing on a narrowing set of drugs currently in tests to treat the symptoms of the novel coronavirus, drugmakers are already facing shortages that could threaten global supply. To counter that demand––and quash accusations of profiteering––Abbvie has reportedly taken a drastic step to open its COVID-19 candidate to competition. 

AbbVie will not enforce global patent rights on all formulations of HIV med Kaletra (Aluvia) as the drug is being evaluated to treat severe COVID-19 in several clinical trials, the Financial Times reported.

A spokesperson for AbbVie could not be reached by press time.

The move would free countries to purchase Kaletra generics in the event of a shortage or if the drug is found to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients, according to the Times. AbbVie would be the first drugmaker to take that drastic move as at least one other drug cycling through coronavirus trials faces emergency access shortages. 

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