The Facts

• A drug described as "the closest we have ever been to an HIV vaccine" that currently costs over $40,000 per a person per a year, could be made to cost less than $40 for each patient, researchers said on Tuesday.A drug described as "the closest we have ever been to an HIV vaccine" that currently costs over $40K per person per year, could be made to cost less than $40 for each patient, according to newly-released research.

• Early trials have found, Lenacapavir, developed by US pharmaceutical company Gilead, to be nearly 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection. The drug is also easier to administer than current preventative regimens that require daily pills, with Lenacapavir needing only two injections per year.Early trials have found that Lenacapavir, developed by US pharmaceutical company Gilead, is nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV infection. The drug is also easier to administer than current preventative regimens that require daily pills, with Lenacapavir needing only two injections per year.

• Lenacapavir is already approved as a twice-yearly antiretroviral treatment for people with multi-drug resistant HIV, though recent trials have focused on using the drug as a pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP to prevent HIV in people at a high risk for contracting the disease.Lenacapavir is already approved as a twice-yearly antiretroviral treatment for people with multi-drug resistant HIV, though recent trials have focused on using the drug as a pre-exposure prophylaxis, to prevent HIV in people at a high risk for contracting the disease.