A new injection prevents HIV with near-total success.
In a historic step forward in the fight against HIV, the U.S. FDA has approved a long-acting injection known as lenacapavir as a preventive measure against HIV transmission.
And it is 99% effective at preventing HIV infection.
Administered just twice a year, this breakthrough PrEP drug demonstrated its efficacy in clinical trials involving over 4,000 individuals, outperforming the daily pill Truvada.
Its approval marks a shift toward simpler, more effective HIV prevention strategies that could mimic the impact of a vaccine.
Despite its promise, Yeztugo’s high anticipated price—estimated at $25,000 annually—has raised concerns about access, especially in lower-income regions. Advocates are calling on Gilead to drastically lower costs, noting the drug could be mass-produced for as little as $25 per person.
With production agreements in place for 120 low- and middle-income countries and support from global health funds, there is cautious optimism that lenacapavir could become a transformative tool—if it’s made truly accessible.
Source: https://www.npr.org/