Lilly Partners with EVA Pharma to Expand Baricitinib Production in Africa

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and EVA Pharma have entered a partnership to broaden access to baricitinib for approximately 20,000 people in 49 low- to middle-income African nations by 2030. Originally developed by Incyte and licensed to Lilly, baricitinib is prescribed for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and COVID-19.

This initiative aligns with Lilly's 30x30 goal, which aims to enhance healthcare access for 30 million people in underserved regions each year by 2030.

Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president of Lilly International, emphasized the company's ongoing dedication to expanding access to affordable and innovative medications. Following their collaboration with EVA Pharma on insulin production, Lilly is now initiating its first-ever voluntary licensing agreement. This agreement allows EVA Pharma to access specific manufacturing know-how for baricitinib, enabling the local production and distribution of the drug across 49 African countries.

Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma, expressed pride in localizing the complete value chain for this essential medication on the continent. EVA Pharma’s high-containment facility is expected to begin distributing baricitinib in African markets by 2026.

The partnership leverages EVA's extensive pan-African presence and its robust local manufacturing capabilities, which adhere to global standards, allowing Lilly to extend its reach to more people in low- to middle-income countries.

Since 2021, EVA Pharma and Lilly have collaborated to ensure a consistent supply of life-saving medicines across Africa. They are also working together to make insulin more affordable and accessible in 56 countries, most of which are low- to middle-income, as announced in 2022.