Fidson to Produce Generic Influenza Drug, Strengthen Health Security

Nigerian pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has been selected to develop and manufacture a generic version of Roche’s influenza antiviral drug, baloxavir marboxil, under a global voluntary licensing agreement.

Fidson is one of 11 manufacturers across nine countries selected by the Medicines Patent Pool to produce the generic medicine. The arrangement is expected to expand access to influenza treatment while strengthening regional manufacturing capacity and preparedness for future outbreaks and pandemics.

Under the agreement, Fidson will be able to develop, manufacture and supply generic versions of baloxavir in 129 countries covered by the licence, subject to regulatory approval.

The selected manufacturers will receive access to technical data, reference products for bioequivalence studies and other support needed to develop and secure regulatory approval for their products.

The Medicines Patent Pool said the manufacturers were selected following an open process that assessed their technical and regulatory capacity, as well as their commitment to producing quality-assured medicines.

The initiative brings together manufacturers from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam, creating a geographically diversified production network for influenza treatment.

The licensing arrangement is designed to strengthen medicine supply chains before a health emergency occurs rather than waiting until an outbreak creates shortages.

Charles Gore, Executive Director of the Medicines Patent Pool, said the organisation would work with the selected manufacturers on product development and regulatory approval, with the aim of making quality-assured generic baloxavir available as quickly as possible.

Fidson Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Biola Adebayo, described the selection as an honour and a validation of the company’s commitment to quality-assured pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.

Adebayo said the partnership would allow Fidson to contribute to efforts to strengthen regional health security, improve preparedness for future health emergencies and expand access to essential medicines.

The development also places Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector within a wider international effort to build resilient supply chains for medicines.

Fidson’s participation is expected to support greater local and regional manufacturing capacity while giving the company an opportunity to supply an important influenza treatment to eligible markets once regulatory requirements are met.

The agreement follows a voluntary licence signed between Roche and the Medicines Patent Pool in May 2026, which has now moved into the product development and manufacturing phase.