New ‘Vaccine-Like’ HIV Drug Hailed as Game-Changer Could Cost Just R734

Researchers have estimated that a new ‘vaccine-like’ HIV drug, Lenacapavir, could be manufactured for as little as R734 per year, potentially revolutionizing HIV prevention and treatment. In a groundbreaking development, researchers have unveiled a ‘vaccine-like’ HIV drug, Lenacapavir, that could significantly alter the landscape of HIV prevention and treatment. Initially costing over R734,000 per person annually, new estimates suggest that the drug could be produced for as little as R734, making it a highly cost-effective solution.

Developed by the US pharmaceutical giant Gilead, Lenacapavir has shown 100 percent effectiveness in early trials for preventing HIV infection. The drug’s biannual injection schedule marks a significant improvement over current daily pill regimens, simplifying administration and improving adherence.

“It’s like having a vaccine basically,” stated Andrew Hill, a researcher at Liverpool University, underscoring the transformative potential of Lenacapavir.

Currently, the drug’s price stands at over 40,000 USD (R734,000) annually in several countries, including the United States, France, Norway, and Australia. However, research presented by Hill at the International AIDS Conference in Munich suggests that if Gilead permits the production of generic versions, the cost could plummet to around 40 USD (R734) per year. This estimate is based on production volumes to treat 10 million people.

Targeting high-risk groups such as gay or bisexual men, sex workers, prisoners, and young women in Africa could significantly reduce HIV transmission rates, potentially controlling the epidemic. “We could actually control the epidemic,” Hill emphasized.

According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 million new HIV infections were reported last year, with 39 million people currently living with the virus. Hill’s research, which involved studying shipments of raw materials and consulting large generic manufacturers in China and India, mirrors previous successful predictions by his team. A decade ago, they accurately forecasted a dramatic reduction in the cost of Gilead’s hepatitis C drug from 84,000 USD (R1,542,954) to under 40 USD (R734) with the introduction of generics.

This announcement coincides with UNAIDS chief Winnie Byanyima’s call for Gilead to license Lenacapavir to the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool, facilitating the production of affordable generics for low- and middle-income countries. “Gilead has an opportunity to save the world,” Byanyima stated.

While Gilead awaits phase 3 clinical trial data for Lenacapavir’s use in preventing HIV, a spokesperson highlighted the company’s commitment to providing low-cost versions in high-need areas and negotiating voluntary licensing agreements to expedite access in resource-limited regions.