What's happened
A new HIV prevention plan involving long-acting injections aims to curb infections, but funding cuts threaten progress. Gilead plans to supply 2 million doses by 2028, while experts call for increased investment to reach higher coverage and prevent more infections worldwide.
What's behind the headline?
The story underscores a critical tension between technological innovation and funding sustainability in global health. While lenacapavir offers a near-vaccine level efficacy and could revolutionize HIV prevention, its impact is limited by financial constraints. The decision of Gilead to sell doses at no profit to low-income countries is positive but insufficient without broader funding commitments. The US and UK funding cuts, which have historically supported much of the global HIV response, threaten to reverse gains made in recent years. The focus on high-risk groups like young women, LGBT+ populations, and sex workers is vital, yet these groups remain underserved due to funding gaps. The story suggests that without increased investment, especially in vulnerable regions, the potential of long-acting injectables to end HIV transmission will remain unrealized. The upcoming years will be decisive in whether global health efforts can adapt to financial pressures and leverage new technologies effectively, or whether progress will stall.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights that efforts to expand HIV prevention with long-acting injections like lenacapavir are hampered by significant funding cuts, particularly from the US and UK, which threaten to undermine recent progress. Dr. Andrew Hill emphasizes that giving 10 million people the jab annually could halve new infections, but current plans for 2 million doses by 2028 are insufficient. Gilead's commitment to sell at no profit in low-income countries is a positive step, yet critics argue it falls short of actual needs. France 24 reports that lenacapavir has demonstrated over 99.9% efficacy in reducing HIV transmission, akin to a vaccine, and is being rolled out in South Africa and neighboring countries. However, critics warn that the market price remains out of reach for most, and broader access depends on generic production from 2027. Both sources agree that funding and equitable access are the key challenges to maximizing the impact of these innovations, with experts warning that current funding gaps could reverse recent gains in HIV control.
How we got here
Recent advances in HIV prevention include long-acting injectable drugs like lenacapavir, which can reduce transmission risk by over 99.9%. These developments come amid ongoing efforts to expand access in high-burden regions such as Southern Africa. However, funding cuts, especially from the US and UK, threaten to undermine these efforts, risking setbacks in global HIV control strategies.
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Gilead Sciences, Inc., is an American biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Foster City, California that researches, develops and commercializes drugs.
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Lenacapavir is an experimental drug for the treatment of HIV being developed by Gilead Sciences. As of 2021, it is in Phase 2/3 clinical trials.