The US has approved a unique drug that almost completely prevents HIV
Фото: REUTERS
The United States has officially approved the use of the world’s first HIV prevention drug that provides almost 100% protection. This is the innovative drug Lenacapavir (trade name Yeztugo), developed by Gilead Sciences.
According to a report by New Atlas, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to a new drug that could be a real revolution in the fight against HIV infection.
What makes Lenacapavir unique?
Lenacapavir blocks the entry of the human immunodeficiency virus into human cells, thereby preventing infection. The drug’s effectiveness has been confirmed in large-scale clinical trials, and it reaches almost 100%.
One of the main advantages is its convenience. The drug is administered as an injection only once every six months, which makes it much easier to use, especially for people with limited access to medicine or those who face stigma.
In comparison, other preventive agents, such as Cabotegravir, require monthly or bi-monthly injections, while Truvada pills must be taken daily.
Short:
The drug blocks HIV infection at the cellular level.
It is administered twice a year.
Does not require daily intake.
Has minimal side effects.
High efficiency has been confirmed in practice.
When to expect it on sale?
In the US, Yeztugo has already received official approval as a means for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In Europe, lenacapavir is approved for the treatment of HIV-infected people, but so far only under strict medical supervision. However, there has been no wide commercial launch yet – the company was waiting for permission specifically for preventive use, which has now been officially received.
However, the question remains: Will this drug be able to change the course of the fight against HIV? Everything will depend on how widely available the new tool becomes.
The price of the question: how much does protection cost?
Unfortunately, Yeztugo is currently one of the most expensive drugs in this field. Its cost exceeds $40,000 per person per year. For comparison, other PrEP drugs cost approximately 600–700 euros per year.
Gilead explains the price by the massive development costs. At the same time, experts criticize this policy. For example, British pharmacologist Andrew Hill claims that, taking into account production costs and even a 30% profit, the real market price could be about $40 per year – a thousand times less than stated.
Recall that in December 2024, the United States completed the final phase of clinical trials of an HIV vaccine, which demonstrated extraordinary effectiveness – 99%.
As reported later, the US officially approved the Yeztugo injection, which could be a breakthrough in the fight and prevention of HIV.
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