Pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) and EVA Pharma on Wednesday announced a collaboration to expand access to baricitinib in 49 low- to middle-income countries in Africa.

Lilly will license manufacturing know-how to EVA Pharma, enabling local production and supply of the drug.

This partnership is part of Lilly's 30x30 initiative, which aims to improve access to quality health care for 30 million people living in resource-limited settings annually by 2030.

EVA Pharma's dedicated facility is expected to begin selling locally manufactured baricitinib by 2026. The collaboration leverages EVA's pan-African reach and strong manufacturing capabilities to reach more people in need.