GENEVA: Generic versions of a groundbreaking injectable HIV-prevention drug will be available for $40 a year in over 100 countries starting in 2027, Unitaid and the Gates Foundation announced Wednesday.
The two organizations have signed separate agreements with Indian pharmaceutical companies to produce cheaper generics of lenacapavir - a twice-yearly injection shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9% - for low- and middle-income countries.
Currently marketed in the U.S. as Yeztugo by California-based Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir costs around $28,000 a year.
Far cheaper generic versions are therefore "critical for scaling up HIV prevention," said Carmen Perez Casas, Unitaid's strategic lead for HIV. "Now, with this product, we can end HIV."
In October 2024, Gilead signed licensing deals with six generic drugmakers to produce and sell the world's first long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in poorer countries.
Unitaid said Wednesday that a partnership with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI will provide the drug at $40 per person annually across 120 countries starting in 2027.
"The product will initially be manufactured in India," Perez Casas said. "But we are also working toward regional production in the future."
The Gates Foundation also announced a similar partnership with Indian pharmaceutical company Hetero.
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The two organizations have signed separate agreements with Indian pharmaceutical companies to produce cheaper generics of lenacapavir - a twice-yearly injection shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9% - for low- and middle-income countries.
Currently marketed in the U.S. as Yeztugo by California-based Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir costs around $28,000 a year.
Far cheaper generic versions are therefore "critical for scaling up HIV prevention," said Carmen Perez Casas, Unitaid's strategic lead for HIV. "Now, with this product, we can end HIV."
In October 2024, Gilead signed licensing deals with six generic drugmakers to produce and sell the world's first long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in poorer countries.
Unitaid said Wednesday that a partnership with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI will provide the drug at $40 per person annually across 120 countries starting in 2027.
"The product will initially be manufactured in India," Perez Casas said. "But we are also working toward regional production in the future."
The Gates Foundation also announced a similar partnership with Indian pharmaceutical company Hetero.
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