Beximco Sells $346,000 CF Drug Copy in Bangladesh Using Patent Loophole
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
Beximco Sells $346,000 CF Drug Copy in Bangladesh Using Patent Loophole
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
Summary
Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharmaceuticals has begun selling Triko, a generic version of Vertex’s cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta, with the first boxes going to foreign patients who traveled to Dhaka.
The launch exploits a global patent-law loophole that lets Bangladesh, as a least-developed country, make and sell some patented medicines despite Vertex’s monopoly on the treatment.
Vertex charges about $346,000 a year for Trikafta in the United States and has not registered it in many lower-income countries, leaving patients there unable to buy the branded drug.
That gap has pushed families such as 18-year-old South African Josua Lottering’s to fly to Bangladesh for a year’s supply, seeking a treatment widely seen as life-changing.
The case highlights how patent protections and rich-world pricing can limit access to breakthrough medicines even after they generate huge sales — Trikafta has brought Vertex $49 billion since 2019.
A life-saving drug costs $346,000, while its generic copy is affordable. What does this reveal about pharmaceutical innovation and profit?
As trade deals threaten Bangladesh's patent loophole, what is the future for affordable medicine in developing nations?
With a $200 billion 'patent cliff' looming, are drug companies' monopoly-extending tactics finally reaching their limit?
Triko’s 96% Price Drop: The Story of the First Generic Trikafta and Its Impact on Cystic Fibrosis Care Worldwide
Overview
On June 22, 2026, Beximco Pharmaceuticals launched Triko, a generic version of Trikafta, marking a monumental shift in cystic fibrosis treatment. This breakthrough was made possible by a loophole in patent law, allowing the generic drug to reach patients at a much lower cost and address the critical barrier of affordability. The launch followed years of persistent advocacy and collaboration, with campaign groups approaching Beximco to initiate discussions for a generic alternative. As a result, a new era of accessibility began for cystic fibrosis patients worldwide, offering hope to those previously unable to afford life-changing treatment.