A new antiretroviral drug called Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead, has shown promise as a groundbreaking treatment in the fight against HIV. This drug, which currently costs over $40,000 per person annually, could be manufactured for as little as $40, according to researchers.
Lenacapavir is hailed for its potential to change how HIV is managed. Unlike current treatments that require daily pills, Lenacapavir only needs to be injected twice a year.
Early trials have found it to be 100% effective in preventing HIV infection. This has led researchers like Andrew Hill from Liverpool University to liken it to a vaccine.
At the International AIDS Conference in Munich, Hill presented research suggesting that if Gilead allowed for the production of cheaper generic versions, the drug’s cost could dramatically decrease.
The research, although not yet peer-reviewed, estimates that producing a year’s supply of Lenacapavir for 10 million people could bring the cost down to just $40 per person.
Administering this drug to high-risk populations, such as gay and bisexual men, sex workers, prisoners, and young women in Africa, could significantly reduce HIV transmission rates.
Last year, there were 1.3 million new HIV infections, and 39 million people worldwide are living with the virus, according to the World Health Organization.
To arrive at the $40 estimate, researchers examined the cost of raw materials and consulted with large generic drug manufacturers in China and India. Hill’s team has a history of accurate cost predictions.
Ten years ago, they estimated that the cost of Gilead’s hepatitis C drug, initially priced at $84,000 per patient, could drop to $100 with generics. Today, the cost to cure hepatitis C is just under $40.
UNAIDS chief Winnie Byanyima has called on Gilead to allow Lenacapavir to be included in the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool.
This would enable the production of generics in low- and middle-income countries, making the drug accessible to those who need it most. Byanyima urged Gilead to seize this opportunity to make a significant impact on global health.
Gilead, however, is still awaiting phase 3 clinical trial data on Lenacapavir’s use for HIV prevention. A spokesperson for the company stated that it is too early to determine the drug’s future potential.
Nonetheless, Gilead is preparing to provide low-cost versions of Lenacapavir in countries with the greatest need. They are also negotiating contracts for a voluntary licensing program to expedite access to affordable versions of the drug in high-incidence, resource-limited countries.
In summary, Lenacapavir offers hope for a more effective and manageable HIV prevention strategy. If made affordable, it could transform HIV treatment and significantly reduce new infections, bringing us closer to controlling the epidemic.
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