2001
With the acquisition of DuPont, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company added to its HIV portfolio an antiretroviral agent launched in Canada in 1999, Sustiva® (efavirenz) Capsules, and also gained Cardiolite® (Kit for the preparation of Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi for Injection), a medical imaging agent available on the Canadian market since 1990.
Also in June of the same year, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company took its commitment to an African HIV/AIDS assistance effort a step further, by offering HIV/AIDS drugs below cost in Africa and committing an additional $15 million – thus raising the total level of commitment to $115 million ‑ for extending SECURE THE FUTURE™ to four Western African countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. The company is also ensuring that its patents do not prevent inexpensive HIV/AIDS therapy in Africa. The patent for Zerit, rights to which are owned by Yale University and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, is now available at no cost to treat AIDS in southern Africa.
