[Fidson Healthcare Plc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidson_Healthcare) announced that it has been chosen to develop and produce a generic form of baloxavir marboxil, an antiviral drug used against influenza.
The company is now one of eleven manufacturers from nine different nations selected under a voluntary licensing deal brokered by the [Medicines Patent Pool](https://www.medicinespatentpool.org) and Swiss drug giant [Roche](https://www.roche.com).
Fidson disclosed the news in a press statement signed by its media liaison, Tope Akindele, while the MPP, a United Nations‑backed public‑health body, released details of the sublicence arrangements on 25 September.
The chosen producers hail from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam. According to the MPP, the scheme aims to broaden supply routes for flu treatment, bolster regional manufacturing and improve readiness for future outbreaks and pandemics.
Under the agreement, Fidson will be authorised, pending regulatory clearance, to develop, produce and distribute generic baloxavir in up to 129 countries covered by the licence.
The deal also grants the selected firms access to technical dossiers, reference products for bio‑equivalence testing and other assistance needed to secure product development and regulatory approval.
The MPP explained that manufacturers were picked after an open Expression of Interest process and a review of their technical and regulatory capabilities, as well as their commitment to delivering quality‑assured baloxavir.
The organisation highlighted that having producers in diverse regions helps build manufacturing capacity nearer to the populations the medicines serve, thereby strengthening the resilience of the global supply chain.
For Nigeria, the selection places a home‑grown pharmaceutical company at the centre of a worldwide effort to expand production of an influenza antiviral, while also enhancing domestic and regional manufacturing strength.
Fidson’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Biola Adebayo, hailed the decision as proof of the firm’s dedication to high‑quality pharmaceutical production and innovation.
"Being selected by the Medicines Patent Pool as a sublicensee under the Roche‑MPP voluntary licensing programme for baloxavir marboxil is both an honour and a validation of Fidson’s longstanding commitment to quality‑assured pharmaceutical manufacturing, innovation, and improving healthcare outcomes," Adebayo said.
He added that the partnership would enable the company to aid regional health security and improve preparedness for future health emergencies.
"As an African healthcare company, we are proud to contribute to global efforts aimed at strengthening regional health security, enhancing preparedness for future health emergencies, and ensuring that life‑saving medicines reach the patients who need them most," he remarked.
Adebayo also noted that the collaboration underscores the expanding role of African manufacturers within the global health ecosystem.
He affirmed that Fidson will cooperate with Roche, the MPP and other stakeholders to broaden access to baloxavir across eligible markets.
The announcement coincided with the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where world leaders convened to discuss pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
The MPP said the licensing framework is intended to build manufacturing capacity before a health crisis strikes, rather than reacting during an emergency.
Charles Gore, Executive Director of the MPP, stated that the organisation will work closely with the selected manufacturers on product development and regulatory clearance, aiming to make quality‑assured generic baloxavir available as swiftly as possible.
"By combining global manufacturing capacity with regionally focused production, we are helping build a more geographically diverse and resilient supply base for the future," Gore explained.