Lilly and EVA Pharma Receive Egyptian Approval for Insulin Injection

Key Insights

• The Egyptian Drug Authority has approved Lilly and EVA Pharma's human insulin glargine injection for treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• This collaboration aims to provide affordable insulin to at least one million individuals in low to middle-income countries, primarily in Africa, annually.
• Lilly supplies the active pharmaceutical ingredient at a reduced cost and offers technology transfer to EVA for local insulin formulation and production.

Eli Lilly and EVA Pharma have secured approval from the Egyptian Drug Authority for their human insulin glargine injection, a crucial development for treating patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This partnership, initiated in 2022, is geared towards enhancing access to quality and affordable insulin for a minimum of one million individuals with diabetes in low to middle-income countries (LMICs), with a primary focus on the African continent.

Collaborative Efforts and Manufacturing

EVA Pharma has established a new biologics manufacturing facility to facilitate the local formulation, filling, and finishing of insulin vials and cartridges. Lilly's role involves supplying the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for insulin at a reduced cost and providing technology transfer to EVA. This strategic collaboration has enabled the rapid development and regulatory approval of the insulin injection within two years.

Lilly's Commitment to Global Healthcare

This initiative aligns with Lilly's 30x30 goal, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare for 30 million people in resource-limited settings each year by 2030. Ilya Yuffa, president of Lilly International, emphasized the company's century-long commitment to diabetes care and its dedication to providing sustainable and accessible medicines worldwide through the collaboration with EVA Pharma.

Expansion into Immunological Disease Treatment

In September 2024, Lilly also licensed baricitinib manufacturing know-how to EVA, enabling the supply of treatments for immunological diseases in 56 LMICs across Africa. This further expands the impact of the collaboration beyond diabetes care.

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