A new drug for HIV prevention, Lenacapavir, is set to be made available at a significantly reduced cost in over 100 low- and middle-income countries within two years. Initially priced at $28,000 annually, the cost of the drug will drop to approximately $40 per person, effective in 2027. The drug works by preventing the virus from replicating in the body and is administered via injection twice a year, offering six months of protection against HIV.
This initiative comes as part of a broader effort, negotiated by the Clinton Foundation in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and South Africa’s Wits RHI, to provide affordable antiretroviral therapies to populations in developing countries. Lenacapavir recently gained endorsement from the World Health Organization for HIV prevention.
Experts suggest that long-acting injectables like Lenacapavir could play a crucial role in reducing new infections among vulnerable groups, including adolescent girls, young women, LGBTQ+ individuals, sex workers, and people who use drugs. The new drug aims to potentially replace the current oral PrEP treatment, which costs the same but requires daily intake, posing adherence and stigma challenges.
Lenacapavir has already received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission, while regulatory approval for the generic version is anticipated in about 18 months. Research indicates that reaching only 4% of the population with this injectable could prevent up to 20% of new HIV infections.
Currently, over 40 million individuals are living with HIV globally, with South Africa reporting nearly eight million cases, making it a target country for the rollout of this new, more accessible treatment. Despite progress in combating HIV, about 1.3 million new infections and over 600,000 deaths from AIDS-related illnesses were reported last year.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmzn8802d7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss