Lenacapavir is a top HIV treatment, but its cost and accessibility need urgent attention, especially for resource poor populations.

Presented at World AIDS Conference in July 2024, Gilead Sciences’ promising HIV drug lenacapavir is exciting the healthcare community. In practical terms, this is a game changer over daily pills and every few months’ injections: The drug has shown near 100 percent effectiveness in preventing and treating HIV, with only two doses a year required.

The breakthrough drug lenacapavir holds significant promise for HIV treatment, particularly in areas where stigma and treatment compliance are hurdles. It is especially beneficial for women and young girls at high risk of infection, according to Astrid Berner Rodoreda from the Heidelberg Institute for Global Health.

Lenacapavir is approved by the EU but not available on the market and its annual cost of more than $40,000 would be prohibitory for most, particularly in low income countries. Challenges in middle income countries such as Brazil and Mexico mean that Gilead is exploring their options for generic versions.

It’s going to be using whatever gets it cheap and available everywhere. Lenacapavir could significantly reduce HIV transmission globally — and help to achieve the global healthcare goal of ending the AIDS epidemic there by 2030 — if it could be produced at a lower cost. Prices, however, will have to be overcome, as will limited access in some markets.