Guardian

Most new HIV infections occurred outside sub-Saharan Africa for first time – UN report

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 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.

Medicalxpress

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.

Forbes

Research findings presented Tuesday estimate that Lenacapavir could be produced for as much as 1K times less than the current price if Gilead allowed for cheaper generic versions of the drug to be manufactured.

Advocates have urged Gilead to allow for generic licensing through the UN-backed Medicines "patent pool" in all low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of HIV infections take place.

Gilead has said that it is still too early to predict the price for Lenacapavir for use as a prophylaxis, though the company has pledged to create "a strategy to enable broad, sustainable access globally."

Study: Highly-Affordable 'Vaccine-Like' HIV Drug Possible

Study: Highly-Affordable 'Vaccine-Like' HIV Drug Possible

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Study: Highly-Affordable 'Vaccine-Like' HIV Drug Possible

Study: Highly-Affordable 'Vaccine-Like' HIV Drug Possible

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