WHO Recommends Gilead's Twice-Yearly Injection for HIV Prevention

The World Health Organization has recommended Gilead's lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection, as a tool to prevent HIV infection. The recommendation was issued at the International AIDS Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. The injectable offers a long-acting alternative to daily oral pills, reshaping the response to the disease, especially for those facing challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care. Lenacapavir is seen as a significant step in HIV prevention efforts, particularly as an HIV vaccine remains elusive.

The WHO's recommendations are crucial as HIV prevention efforts face challenges, with 1.3 million new HIV infections occurring in 2024. These infections disproportionately impact populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and children and adolescents. The WHO has also recommended a public health approach to HIV testing using rapid tests to improve access and reduce barriers.

Lenacapavir, a capsid inhibitor, was nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV in large trials last year, offering new hope in the fight against the disease.

According to the source: The Economic Times.