Fiocruz and MSD Brasil sign Memorandum of Understanding to expand access to innovation in HIV prevention

July 28, 2026 10:18 am GMT-0300

Agreement aims to evaluate a partnership regarding alimatravir (MK-8527), an investigational once-monthly medicine for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Rio de Janeiro, July 28^th – The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and MSD Brasil signed, on July 28, a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for the evaluation of a partnership related to alimatravir (MK-8527), an investigational long-acting medicine for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), currently in clinical development by MSD.

The agreement has the potential to strengthen Brazil’s national capacity to produce innovative health technologies and, in the future, expand access for the Brazilian and Latin America population to new HIV prevention options — subject to positive results from the ongoing Phase 3 clinical studies and eventual regulatory approval of the medicine.

Alimatravir (MK-8527) is an innovative long-acting oral PrEP candidate designed to be administered as a single tablet taken only once a month. The medicine belongs to a new class of antiretrovirals called nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitors (NRTTIs) and is being evaluated in the global Phase 3 EXPrESSIVE-10 and EXPrESSIVE-11 studies, which include Brazilian research centers.

A once-monthly oral option is expected to help increase adherence to prevention by offering greater convenience and flexibility for different user profiles.

Brazil is internationally recognized for its response to the HIV epidemic and for providing prevention and treatment strategies free of charge. Currently, more than 100,000 people use PrEP through the Unified Health System (SUS).

“This Memorandum of Understanding states that Fiocruz and MSD intend to cooperate in the clinical validation phase of this new molecule and also discuss commercial and technological bases for the nationalization of its production, with a view to strengthening the Health Economic-Industrial Complex (CEIS), with a focus on access and equity,” says Mario Moreira, president of Fiocruz.

For MSD, the initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to innovation and to building sustainable solutions for global public health challenges.

“We believe that innovation and access must go hand in hand. This Memorandum of Understanding with Fiocruz represents an important step in evaluating pathways that, in the future, may allow the benefits of new prevention technologies to reach people in Brazil and Latin America, provided that the Phase 3 clinical studies confirm the safety and efficacy of alimatravir (MK-8527) and that the medicine obtains the applicable regulatory approvals. Our goal is to help expand prevention options and support Brazil’s efforts to fight HIV,” says Renan Ozyerli, VP and Managing Director of MSD Brazil.

About Alimatravir (MK-8527)

Alimatravir is a medicine in Phase 3 clinical development for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) developed by MSD. It is a once-monthly oral tablet being evaluated for its safety and efficacy profile in preventing HIV infection. The medicine has not yet been approved by any regulatory authority for commercial use.

About Fiocruz

Established in 1900, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), linked to the Ministry of Health, is one of Latin America’s leading science and technology institutions in health, working in areas including research, technological development, production, care, education and health surveillance.

About MSD

For more than 130 years, MSD has been discovering and developing medicines and vaccines for some of the world’s greatest health needs. The company maintains a long-standing commitment to advancing scientific research and expanding access to health innovations.