Gilead has been involved in licensing to generic manufacturers since 2006 when it granted its first license to HIV patents. This is part of an effort to allow the development and commercialization of high-quality, low-cost medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Gilead’s technology transfers are made in an effort to enable generic versions of Gilead medicines to reach the patients in LMICs who need them. 

Gilead works with local producers to enable them to conduct large-scale manufacturing and provides manufacturers with assistance to help them ensure product safety and stability and provides technological tools to expand production. These licensees are able to obtain technology transfers of manufacturing processes not only for finished products, but also for the production of active ingredients. Licensees are then able to sell active pharmaceutical ingredients to other licensees and set their own pricing for finished products. Royalties paid to Gilead by these generic manufacturers are reinvested into Gilead’s support activities to maintain its voluntary licensing program.

Gilead makes it a priority to enable access to medicines based on Gilead innovation for people who can benefit from them, regardless of where they live or their economic status. Dedicated Gilead staff in conjunction with Gilead’s Global Patient Solutions unit oversee these technology transfers, make resources from other parts of the company available to licensees as needed and provide ongoing assistance to licensees after the technology transfer is completed. Gilead has an open line of communication with its licensees, meets with them regularly and is available to provide manufacturing guidance when needed to minimize any manufacturing disruptions. 

Gilead’s voluntary licensing program for remdesivir, established in May 2020, has enabled access to the medicine for more than 8 million people in low- and middle income countries. These remdesivir licenses were issued on a royalty free basis.

Gilead was also the first innovator company to join the Medicines Patent Pool, which is a Unitaid-backed organization that works with pharmaceutical companies to expand global access to high-quality, low-cost antiretroviral therapy through the licensing of patents. Today, 18 patent holders have joined the Pool and license their compounds to 57 generic manufacturers.