Expanding HIV Prevention Access
Gilead and PAHO expand lenacapavir HIV prevention access across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Anonymous
Gilead Sciences and the Pan American Health Organization have agreed to expand access to twice-yearly lenacapavir, marketed as Yeztugo in the United States, for HIV prevention across PAHO member states in Latin America and the Caribbean. The agreement will use PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds to create a coordinated procurement and implementation pathway, including for 14 countries not covered by Gilead’s voluntary licensing agreements for generic versions of the drug. The initiative aims to address prevention gaps as new HIV infections in the region rose 13% between 2010 and 2024. Gilead said it will continue working with PAHO and national governments on country readiness, scale-up, generic licensing, technology transfers and potential local production in Brazil, while availability will depend on regulatory approvals and individual country decisions.
Key Points
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The 14 countries outside Gilead’s current voluntary licensing agreements are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
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The agreement builds on Gilead’s 2024 deal granting six generic manufacturers royalty-free licenses to produce and supply lenacapavir in resource-limited countries.
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PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said the initiative could help close access gaps for lenacapavir and give countries an additional HIV-prevention option.
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Gilead said its regional work is linked to PAHO’s Alliance for the Elimination of HIV in the Americas, with implementation intended to align with national priorities and PAHO’s regional public-health leadership.
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