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Lenacapavir

All articles tagged with #lenacapavir

New weekly HIV pill could ease daily treatment burden
health11 days ago

New weekly HIV pill could ease daily treatment burden

A large international trial found that taking HIV medication once a week is as effective as daily dosing, offering greater flexibility and potentially reducing stigma and the mental burden of constant pill-taking. The regimen combines Islatravir and Lenacapavir and was tested in 607 adults across 106 sites in 12 countries, with results presented at the International AIDS Conference in Rio. Participants will be followed for 96 weeks to assess long-term safety and effectiveness; an injection option is also available six times per year. While this advance could improve adherence and quality of life, stigma around HIV remains a challenge, according to researchers and patients in London.

Gilead's HIV PrEP Pricing Sparks Latin American Access Fight
health25 days ago

Gilead's HIV PrEP Pricing Sparks Latin American Access Fight

Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly PrEP drug from Gilead that nearly prevents HIV infection, is priced at about $14,000 per dose in the US, while a reduced generic license aims for roughly $40 per dose in 120 low- and middle-income countries. Upper-middle-income Latin American countries like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru don’t qualify, prompting protests and stalled negotiations over access. Officials and UNAIDS urge faster, broader access, as Gilead says it’s continuing regional talks and exploring other long-acting PrEP options to widen supply amid ongoing manufacturing constraints.

Gilead and Merck Report Promising Phase 3 Results for Weekly HIV Regimen Islatravir/Lenacapavir
health2 months ago

Gilead and Merck Report Promising Phase 3 Results for Weekly HIV Regimen Islatravir/Lenacapavir

Gilead and Merck announced topline Phase 3 results for the investigational once-weekly HIV regimen islatravir/lenacapavir (ISL/LEN) from ISLEND-1 and ISLEND-2, showing the Week 48 primary endpoint was met and non‑inferiority to Biktarvy or standard therapy with a comparable safety profile. The companies plan regulatory filings and full data presentations at a future congress, potentially introducing the first weekly oral HIV treatment if approved.

South Africa bets on biannual HIV prevention with $72M Lenacapavir rollout
health2 months ago

South Africa bets on biannual HIV prevention with $72M Lenacapavir rollout

South Africa announced a R1.3 billion ($72 million) rollout to deploy Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice a year, across 360 clinics in 24 high-burden districts, aiming to reach about 1 million people by 2027 with support from the Global Fund and CIFF; the program seeks affordable generics via a voluntary license by 2027 and a broader push to manufacture 60% of Africa's medical products locally by 2040.

Gilead's Lenacapavir Dilemma: A HIV Breakthrough Hindered by Access Rules
business4 months ago

Gilead's Lenacapavir Dilemma: A HIV Breakthrough Hindered by Access Rules

Lenacapavir could be a game-changer in HIV, but Gilead’s practice of not selling directly to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), limiting supply via the Global Fund to just 2 million doses over three years, and its licensing that excludes 26 middle-income countries has sparked criticism that profits trump public health. Gilead argues it is expanding access through generic licenses and deals with Global Fund and PEPFAR to deliver low- or no-profit supply, with a broader rollout planned in 2027 via generics in 120 countries, but concrete expansion remains uncertain.

Gilead urged to sell long-acting HIV prevention drug directly to MSF
health4 months ago

Gilead urged to sell long-acting HIV prevention drug directly to MSF

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is pressing Gilead to directly sell lenacapavir, a two-a-year injectable PrEP for HIV prevention, to MSF for use in its humanitarian programs. Gilead has refused, directing MSF to obtain doses through the Global Fund, which has a limited supply, leaving many vulnerable people without access. MSF cites humanitarian need and calls for an urgent meeting by April 13 to decide pricing and delivery timelines.

Lenacapavir arrives in Eswatini as AIDS battle hinges on rollout
world5 months ago

Lenacapavir arrives in Eswatini as AIDS battle hinges on rollout

A new HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, delivered as a twice-yearly injection, is being rolled out in Eswatini and nine high‑risk countries in a bid to end AIDS, described by UN officials as the closest thing to a vaccine. While it could dramatically reduce new infections if scaled globally, the rollout is hampered by years of foreign aid cuts that shuttered mobile clinics and constrained supply. The UN and Global Fund aim to reach millions, but plans to reach about two million people by 2028 fall well short of needs, underscoring the need for expanded funding and procurement to avoid repeating past delays that cost lives.

Zimbabwe rolls out lenacapavir HIV prevention, a new adherence-friendly approach
health6 months ago

Zimbabwe rolls out lenacapavir HIV prevention, a new adherence-friendly approach

Zimbabwe launched a national lenacapavir program, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention treatment that could replace daily PrEP pills. Funded by the U.S. government and the Global Fund, the initial rollout covers about 46,000 high-risk individuals across 24 sites, with priority for adolescent girls, young women and sex workers, as part of the country’s broader effort to curb HIV.

health10 months ago

South Africa's Health Minister Praises New HIV Prevention Jab Amid Supply Concerns

South Africa's health minister announced the introduction of lenacapavir, the world's first twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, with an initial limited supply of nearly half a million doses starting in April 2026, amid concerns over funding cuts and licensing issues affecting local manufacturing and access.

Breaking Barriers to End HIV
health10 months ago

Breaking Barriers to End HIV

A new drug called lenacapavir, approved for HIV prevention, offers a twice-yearly injection with near-vaccine efficacy, potentially transforming HIV prevention efforts worldwide, especially in low-income countries, but its impact will depend heavily on political and logistical factors.