Merck, Tibotec and Gilead are in talks with UNITAID to form a patent pool for HIV drugs in developing nations, Reuters reports. This will permit generic drug companies to manufacture low-cost HIV drugs in exchange for royalties, a move that is expected to save poor nations more than $1 billion each year. However, ViiV Healthcare, a joint venture between GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, does not seem interested in participating, despite opening up a similar licensing arrangement last week.

To read the Reuters article, click here.