HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir to Cost $40/Year in Over 100 Countries

Groundbreaking HIV Prevention Drug Accessibility

• 💊 A twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, will be available for approximately $40 a year starting in 2027.
• 🌍 Generic versions will be produced by Indian pharmaceutical companies through agreements with Gilead Sciences and the Gates Foundation, making it accessible in over 100 countries.

Impact on HIV Epidemic Control

• 🎯 Lenacapavir has demonstrated a reduction in HIV transmission risk by over 99.9%.
• 📉 The current cost of the branded drug (Yesgo) is around $28,000 annually in the US, a price that has limited its reach.
• 📈 Cheaper alternatives are expected to significantly impact the HIV epidemic, with experts suggesting it could lead to the end of HIV.

Global HIV Prevention Efforts

• 📊 Despite a 40% reduction in new HIV infections since 2010, 1.3 million people still contracted HIV in 2024.
• 🔑 Making six-monthly pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) a viable option through affordable generics is crucial for those in great need in low and middle-income countries.