From Promise to Programs—How to ensure PrEP science is translated into global impact
A transformative chapter for global HIV prevention started 17 months ago when Gilead Sciences announced that a phase 3 trial (PURPOSE 1) of twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir (LEN) showed 100% efficacy against HIV among cisgender women. A few months later, a sibling trial among cisgender men and gender diverse individuals also showed very high efficacy. Then came swift guidance and recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and regulatory approvals in the U.S., Europe, South Africa and Zambia. The latest news is an agreement between Gilead Sciences, the product developer, and the two largest global HIV programs—the Global Fund and the U.S. State Department through PEPFAR. Together, they will deliver LEN to two million people over three years to ten early introductory countries in Africa along with the Philippines and Ukraine. These are the first crucial steps towards increasing global access to long-acting PrEP, but critical unanswered questions remain.
Click here to continue reading the full article in Positively Aware, authored by AVAC’s John Meade.