First African-manufactured medicine to prevent malaria in pregnant women and infants quality - approved by WHO

August 26, 2022 BSE Limited Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers, Dalal Street, Mumbai – 400 001 Scrip code: 532531 The National Stock Exchange of India Limited Exchange Plaza, Bandra-Kurla Complex Bandra (E) Mumbai - 400 051 Scrip code: STAR Dear Madam/ Sir, Sub: Press Release Please find attached a joint press release issued by Universal Corporation Ltd., a Strides Pharma Science Limited Enterprise, Unitaid and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) titled: “First African-manufactured medicine to prevent malaria in pregnant women and infants quality - approved by WHO” This is for your information purpose. Thanks & Regards, For Strides Pharma Science Limited, Manjula Ramamurthy Company Secretary Encl. As above PRESS RELEASE First African-manufactured medicine to prevent malaria in pregnant women and infants quality-approved by WHO Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL), with support from MMV and Unitaid, becomes the first African manufacturer to gain WHO prequalification of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine  Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) is a well-tolerated, effective and affordable medicine used to prevent malaria in pregnant women and infants  Nearly all malaria cases and deaths occur in Africa, yet until now, the continent was completely reliant on imported quality-assured SP  This breakthrough responds to the need for local production of quality medicines for use in Africa, a major gap that was critically highlighted when the COVID-19 pandemic left the continent with limited access to vital health products in 2020 Geneva, Switzerland and Kiambu, Kenya – 25 August 2022 – Local supply of a medicine used to prevent malaria across Africa received a boost recently, as the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a quality certification to the first African manufacturer of a key antimalarial drug used to prevent infection in pregnant women and children. Called pre- qualification, this certification will enable Kenyan manufacturer Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL) to support regional efforts to combat ma laria through local production of high-quality sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). UCL’s pre-qual ification was achieved with funding from global health agency Unitaid and support from MMV. Pre-qualification is a service provided by WHO to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products. Quality assurance of UC L’s SP product Wiwal® opens a route for procurement by global scale-up partners that will improve access and help strengthen Africa’s ability to combat endemic diseases. “Unitaid welcomes the certification of UCL to produce this qualit y-assured antimalarial medicine in Africa, where about 95% of all illness and death from malaria occurs. Reinforcing local production of medicines w here they are needed most is critical to building stronger and more resilient health responses,” said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid. Young children and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to the burden of malaria, with children under five accounting for 80% of al l malaria deaths in Africa. SP is a generally well-tolerated, effective, and affordable m edicine used to prevent malaria, yet adequate delivery and scale-up of these interventions are hampered in part by inadequate and unstable supply and, until now, have completely relied on imported or poor-quality drugs. “UCL is committed to supplying the African co ntinent with quality medicines that are most needed by the people who live here. We are not only the first pharmaceutical company to receive pre-qualification of sulfadoxine-pyri methamine in Africa, but one of only five manufacturers in Africa to have received this qua lity certification for any product. We’re filling a much-needed gap,” said Perviz Dhanani, Founder and Managing Director of UCL. The lack of pre-qualified manufacturers in Af rica raises concerns about the quality of medicines and supply insecurities that compro mise the treatment of chronic and infectious diseases – risks that were clearly reveal ed when COVID-19 disrupted global supply chains and left Africa with limited access to vital products. The production of quality medicines on the African continent is critical not only for the safety of Africa’s people but also for supporting regional supply availability and diversification in global production of medicines. Increased supply of SP is crucial to th e long-term success of Unitaid’s malaria chemoprevention strategy, which includes nearly US$ 160 million invested to date to optimize and scale up delivery of SP through seasonal de livery and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnant women and infants. With Unitaid funding, MMV is working to strengthen global supply chains and support appropriate use of quality medicines critical to the malaria response. “Researchers and manufacturers from the countr ies hardest hit by malaria must be at the forefront of efforts to defeat the disease, which is why we welcome this wonderful news,” said David Reddy, MMV’s CEO. “We congratulate Universal Corporation Ltd for becoming the first African manufacturer to receive WHO pre-qualific ation for SP for the prevention of malaria in pregnant women and infants and are delighted to have partnered with them in this effort.” NOTES FOR EDITORS Additional quotes “We at Africa CDC gladly welcome the news of Universal Corporation Ltd receiving a WHO Prequalification for sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine,” said Dr Nicaise Ndembi, Africa CDC’s Chief Science Advisor. “This is the result of a remarkable collaborative effort through UCL, MMV and Unitaid, and aligns with our purpose to support public health initiatives and strengthen the capacity of public health institutions.” “The news of Universal Corporation Ltd rece iving a WHO Prequalification for sulfadoxine- pyrimethamine is incredible news,” said Ms Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and MMV Board member. “Ensuring the availability and accessibility of quality treatment for underserved communities, particularly women, newborns, and children who are disproportionately at high risk of death from malaria is a critical component to the full realization of the right to health.” Background on the malaria burden According to the latest World Malaria Report , released on 6 December 2021, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria and 627, 000 resulting deaths worldwide in 2020. This represents about 14 million more cases in 2020 compared to 2019, and 69,000 more deaths. Approximately two-thirds of these additional deaths (47,000) were linked to disruptions in the provision of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2020, the region was home to 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of all deaths. About 80% of all malaria deaths in the region are among children under five years of age. In 2020, six countries accounted for just over ha lf of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (27%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12%), Uganda (5%), Mozambique (4%), Angola (3%) and Burkina Faso (3%). Background on seasonal malaria chemoprevention, perennial malaria chemoprevention and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy There are a number of recommended malaria prevention interventions targeted at those most vulnerable to malaria infection and adverse effects (pregnant women, infants, children) that depend on the accessibility of SP. Adequate supply of SP is crucial to achieving scale up of these interventions to benefit all those at risk across the African continent. Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) is a preventive treatment strategy for children under five living in areas of the Sahel and sub-Sahel at greatest risk of seasonal malaria. It involves administering monthly doses of SP to children during peak malaria season. Unitaid invested US$ 68 million in the first evaluation to determine the effectiveness of SMC on a large scale, a strategy which contributed to a reduction in malaria infections in children of more than 85%. According to the latest World Malaria Report, in 2020, 33 million children were reached with SMC. Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) is another strategy for preventing malaria in infants and children, in areas where malaria transmission is not seasonal. Those belonging to age groups at high risk of severe malaria are recommended to receive antimalarial medicines at predefined intervals to reduce disease burden. Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) is recommended by WHO in malaria- endemic areas to reduce disease burden in pregnant women. This intervention relies on administration of at least three doses of SP, starting as early as possible in the second trimester and spaced at least one month apart. Unitaid is currently funding a large-scale project to generate operational evidence that will help implementers scale-up PMC in higher burden areas. This project is building on the success of the recent TIPTOP project, a Unitaid investment that demonstrated innovative ways to reach more women with IPTp across Africa. Background on strengthening local production of medicines and other health technologies to improve access Attaining the highest standard of health is a fundamental right for all. Access to quality- assured, safe, effective, and affordable medicines and other health technologies for all is a specific component of the Sustainable Development Goals target 3.81 and in achieving Universal health coverage. For more information, visit https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA74/A74_ACONF1-en.pdf About the partners About Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL) UCL is a Kenyan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company based in Kikuyu Township, Kiambu County in the Outskirts the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi. The UCL manufacturing plant has been accredit ed with GMP certification by the local authorities (Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Ke nya) and international quality compliance by various DRAs (Drug Regulatory Authoritie s). Currently, UCL manufactures over 100 formulations of Human medicines. This manufacturing capability is divided as per the dosage forms produced in each line & includes tablets, capsules, ointments, creams & powder (ORS). The long-term plan of the company is to ex pand its specialty lines to cover all medical specialties. As quality is a major concern, the manufacturing department is manned by highly qualified and trained staff who undergo regular training on GMP procedures. For more information, visit http://ucl.co.ke About Unitaid Unitaid is a global health agency engaged in finding innovative solutions to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases more quickly, cheaply, and effectively, in low- and middle- income countries. Its work includes funding initiatives to address major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as HIV co-infections and co-morbidities such as cervical cancer and hepatitis C, and cross-cutting areas, such as fever management. Unitaid is now applying its expertise to address challenges in advancing new therapies and diagnostics for the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a key member of the Access to COVID- 19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. Unitaid is hosted by the World Health Organization. For more information, visit http://www.unitaid.org About Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) MMV is a leading product development partnership (PDP) in the field of antimalarial drug research and development. Its mission is to reduce the burden of malaria in disease- endemic countries by discovering, developing and facilitating delivery of new, effective and affordable antimalarial drugs. MMV receives funding and support from government agencies, private foundations, international organizations, corporations, corporate foundations and private individuals. These funds are used to finance MMV’s portfolio of R&D projects, as well as specific, targeted access & product management (APM) interventions that aim to facilitate increased access to malaria medicines by vulnerable populations in disease-endemic countries and support their appropriate use. Since its foundation in 1999, MMV and partners have built the largest portfolio of antimalarial R&D and access projects ever assembled and have brought forward 13 new medicines. Almost 3 million lives have been saved by these MMV co-developed medicines. MMV's success is based on its extensive partnership network of around 150 active partners including from the pharmaceutical industry, academia and endemic countries. MMV's vision is a world in which innovative medicines will cure and protect the vulnerable and under-served populations at risk of malaria, and help to ultimately eradicate this terrible disease. For more information, visit http://www.mmv.org MEDIA CONTACTS Elizabeth Poll, Director of Communications MMV Phone +41 79 709 59 92 Email: [email protected] Thalia Bayle, Communications Officer Unitaid Phone: +41 79 660 56 37 Email: [email protected] MMV Disclaimer This document contains certain forward-looking statements that may be identified by words such as ‘believes’, ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘projects’, ‘intends’, ‘should’, ‘seeks’, ‘estimates’, ‘future’ or similar expressions, or by discussion of, among other things, vision, strategy, goals, plans, or intentions. It contains hypothetical future product target profiles, development timelines and approval/launch dates, positioning statements, claims and actions for which the relevant data may still have to be established. Stated or implied strategies and action items may be implemented only upon receipt of approvals including, but not limited to, local institutional review board approvals, local regulatory approvals, and following local laws and regulations. Thus, actual results, performances or events may differ from those expressed or implied by such statements. We ask you not rely unduly on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and its partner(s) regarding future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. MMV accepts no liability for the information presented here, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of this information. Furthermore, MMV accepts no liability for the decisions made by its pharmaceutical partner(s), the impact of any of their decisions, their earnings and their financial status.

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