AIDS was recognized as a pandemic in late 1985 after being detected worldwide. The deaths of prominent celebrities Freddie Mercury, Rock Hudson and Easy E spurred research to find a cure for this deadly disease.
After 40 years, finally, a treatment in the form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with 100% effectiveness was successfully developed by Gilead and it has now received FDA approval in the United States and is in the process of being approved in South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Switzerland.
Lenacapavir injection sold under the name Yeztugo provides protection from HIV infection for six months. Two doses can provide 100% protection for a year. This PrEP treatment is more convenient for those at risk than taking daily PrEP pills as is done now.
We reported on the effectiveness of Lenacapavir last year. In clinical trials in South Africa and Uganda involving 5,300 women and girls, Lenacapavir successfully prevented HIV infection in all recipients given as a twice-yearly injection. It is more effective than Truvada, also developed by Gilead but requires it to be taken in pill form every day.
Gilead has pledged to ensure that Yeztugo is affordable, with uninsured individuals able to access the drug for free if they qualify through a medical assistance program.
The WHO estimates that there are 39 million HIV patients living in the world, with a death rate of around 630,000 per year. This may seem high, but 20 years ago it was around 2 million per year. Advances in medical technology and early treatment have successfully removed the stigma of HIV, which is a fatal disease.