The Egyptian Drug Authority has granted approval for EVA Pharma’s insulin glargine injection, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between EVA Pharma and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). The approval, which comes less than two years after the announcement of their partnership, underscores the shared commitment of both companies to provide affordable, high-quality insulin to millions of people in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly across Africa.
A Groundbreaking Partnership for Diabetes Care
The collaboration, launched in 2022, aims to provide sustainable access to human and analog insulin for at least one million individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes annually. This marks the first regulatory approval of EVA Pharma’s insulin drug products under the partnership, which has seen Lilly supply its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for insulin at a significantly reduced price and transfer critical manufacturing technology to EVA Pharma. The partnership’s focus on local production is expected to address the critical shortage of insulin in many African countries.
EVA Pharma has quickly achieved significant milestones since the partnership’s inception, including the completion of a state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility, finalizing insulin formulations, and conducting stability testing. With regulatory approval now secured, EVA Pharma has released the first batch of locally produced insulin glargine.
Expanding Access and Ensuring Quality
In addition to the insulin glargine injection, EVA Pharma has submitted its human insulin injection for local regulatory approval. The companies are also working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to achieve WHO pre-qualification for the locally manufactured insulin. This certification would ensure that EVA Pharma’s insulin meets the global quality standards set by WHO, further enhancing its accessibility and reliability in LMICs.
“We have been at the forefront of diabetes care for over a century, providing innovative solutions to improve lives around the world,” said Ilya Yuffa, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly International. “This collaboration with EVA Pharma strengthens our commitment to accessible, sustainable medicines, and we are dedicated to removing barriers to healthcare and expanding affordable access to improve the lives of millions globally.”
Driving Local Innovation and Impact
Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma, emphasized the importance of localizing essential medicines to ensure equitable access to healthcare. “This partnership with Lilly demonstrates the power of bold collaboration, cutting-edge innovation, and tech-driven manufacturing. We are on track to positively impact over a million lives annually across 56 countries, making a real difference for people living with diabetes.”
This collaboration is part of Lilly’s 30×30 initiative, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare for 30 million people annually in resource-limited settings by 2030. The companies are also expanding their partnership to address other health challenges in LMICs, including the treatment of immunological diseases.
A Vision for the Future
The approval of insulin glargine and the ongoing efforts to expand the range of accessible medicines highlight the transformative potential of public-private partnerships in addressing critical health challenges. As Lilly and EVA Pharma continue their collaboration, they remain committed to improving the lives of millions of people in Africa and beyond, helping to ensure that high-quality healthcare is available to those who need it most.
