Beximco Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of a generic version of a breakthrough cystic fibrosis (CF) drug, reducing treatment cost by at least 96.55% and offering hope to thousands who remain deprived of lifesaving therapy.
According to a Beximco Pharmaceuticals press release on Saturday, Triko will cost $6,375 per child per year, compared to the US list price of $370,000, enabling treatment for 58 children for the price of one patient on the originator therapy. Adults will pay $12,750 per year.
The drug is expected to be available in the international market from Spring 2026.
CF is a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder with very low life expectancy, affecting an estimated 189,000 people worldwide. Only 60% of patients are diagnosed and just 27% receive treatment.
US pharmaceutical company Vertex invented the breakthrough medicine and currently markets the triple-combination therapy Trikafta, containing Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor, which significantly improves survival rates. But it remains out of reach for most patients due to its high price.
To expand access globally, parents of children living with CF launched a community-run buyers’ club to help secure treatment for those priced out of care. The initiative, announced on Wednesday at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Seattle, introduced Triko, Beximco’s generic version of Trikafta.
UK-based CF mother and global Right to Breathe campaign lead Gayle Pledger said the move marks a historic turning point for families worldwide.
“We’ve watched children suffer and die while a treatment sat on the shelf, priced out of reach. Today, that changes. Patient power can change what billion-dollar corporations refuse to,” she said.
Beximco is also launching Bexdeco, a generic version of ivacaftor — one of the Triko components — priced at $5 per tablet.
Beximco Pharmaceuticals Chief Operating Officer Rabbur Reza said providing access to rare-disease medicines remains a core principle of the company.
“We believe our much affordable generic version of Trikafta will have a transformative impact on thousands of patients living with CF who are currently deprived of treatment due to the significant cost burden,” he said.
Beximco initiated development of the generic drug on humanitarian grounds following requests from Malaysia-based Third World Network, UK patient group Just Treatment, and the global Right to Breathe campaign.
Beximco is one of Bangladesh’s leading pharmaceutical exporters, with a presence in more than 60 countries and approvals from major global regulators, including the US FDA. It has a portfolio of over 500 medicines.
