Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), a United States-based pharmaceutical company, announced on Wednesday that it has collaborated with Egypt-based EVA Pharma to deliver a sustainable supply of high-quality, affordable human and analogue insulin to around one million people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), the majority of which are in Africa.

Lilly is to provide its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for insulin at a significantly reduced price to EVA Pharma. It will also provide a pro-bono technology transfer to allow EVA Pharma to formulate, fill and finish insulin vials and cartridges.

EVA Pharma is likely to commence distribution of the African-made insulin products within 18 months and reach one million people per annum by 2030. This partnership is part of the Lilly 30x30 initiative that intends to improve access to quality healthcare for 30 million people living in limited-resource settings per annum by 2030.