Archive · 26 Sep 2025
New HIV Drug Shows Promise: End to the Epidemic?
Scientists have developed a new injectable drug called lenacapavir to prevent HIV.
It's given only twice a year, unlike the daily pills currently used.
Trials showed it's over 99.9% effective.
It was approved by the FDA in June 2024.
A partnership with the Gates Foundation aims to make it affordable, costing around $40 per patient per year.
This new drug could help significantly reduce the spread of HIV.
A new injectable drug, lenacapavir, is showing promise in HIV prevention.
The drug is administered twice a year.
Lenacapavir demonstrated over 99.9% effectiveness in trials.
The US FDA approved the drug in June 2024.
Partnership aims to make lenacapavir affordable at $40 per patient per year.
- Who
- Gilead Sciences, Hetero Labs, Gates Foundation
- What
- A new injectable drug, lenacapavir, to prevent HIV transmission.
- When
- Rolled out as early as end of 2024.
- Where
- Sub-Saharan Africa, other locations.
- Why
- To provide a more effective and accessible alternative to daily pill-based HIV prevention.
- Drug Name
- Lenacapavir (Yeztugo)
- Manufacturer
- Gilead Sciences, Hetero Labs
- Administration
- Twice-yearly injectable
- Effectiveness
- Over 99.9% effective in preventing HIV
- Approval
- FDA approved June 2024
- Target Price
- $40 per patient per year