Lenacapavir Overview:
- Manufacturer: Gilead, a US pharmaceutical company.
- Type: Antiretroviral drug.
- Administration: Injected twice a year, simplifying treatment compared to daily pills.
- Effectiveness: 100% effective in preventing HIV infection in early trials.
Current Cost:
The annual cost for Lenacapavir is over $40,000 per patient in countries such as the US, Australia, France, and Norway.
Potential Cost Reduction:
Research Findings: Presented by Andrew Hill from Liverpool University at the International AIDS Conference in Munich.
Generic Production: If Gilead permits the production of generic versions, the cost could drop to around $40 per year—1,000 times less than the current price.
Cost Estimate Basis: Based on production volumes for treating 10 million people, analysis of raw material shipments, and discussions with large generic manufacturers in China and India.
Impact on HIV Epidemic:
Prevention: Could significantly reduce HIV transmission if given to high-risk groups (e.g., gay or bisexual men, sex workers, prisoners, young women in Africa).
Global HIV Stats: In 2023, there were 1.3 million new HIV infections, and 39 million people living with HIV.
Previous Success:
Hepatitis C Drug: Hill’s team had successfully predicted a drastic price drop for Gilead’s hepatitis C drug from $84,000 to just under $40 with generic production. Now a hepatitis c treatment is very cheap in India.
Advocacy and Future Steps:
UNAids Call: Winnie Byanyima urged Gilead to open up Lenacapavir to the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool to allow generic versions in low- and middle-income countries.
Gilead’s Response: Awaiting phase 3 clinical trial data for prevention use; planning to supply low-cost versions in high-need areas and negotiate voluntary licensing for resource-limited countries.
Source:
Price for AIDS medication could drop to $40
https://insiderpaper.com/new-vaccine-like-hiv-drug-could-cost-just-40-researchers/