What's happened
Gilead Sciences has announced that lenacapavir, a new injectable HIV prevention drug, will be available in 120 low- and middle-income countries. However, critics argue that many high-burden countries, particularly in Latin America, are excluded from this agreement, raising concerns about equitable access.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, Gilead's lenacapavir has shown a 99.9% effectiveness in preventing HIV infections during trials, with a separate trial indicating 100% effectiveness among cisgender women. However, The Guardian reports that the licensing deal excludes many high-burden countries, particularly in Latin America, which could hinder efforts to combat rising infections in those areas. Winnie Byanyima from UNAids expressed concern over the exclusion of upper-middle-income countries, stating that it undermines the potential of this breakthrough. The Japan Times highlights that lenacapavir's preventive use is still pending FDA approval, which could further influence its global accessibility.
How we got here
Lenacapavir, an injectable drug developed by Gilead, has shown promising results in preventing HIV infections. While it is already approved for treatment, its preventive use is pending FDA approval. The drug's accessibility has become a focal point amid rising HIV infections globally.
More on these topics
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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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The human immunodeficiency viruses are two species of Lentivirus that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections a