HIV prevention drug lenacapavir gets FDA nod, nearly 100 per cent effective says experts

The US Food and Drug Administration gave its approval for the twice-yearly injection of lenacapavir, by Gilead Sciences, for the prevention of HIV infection in adults and adolescents who are at a high risk of contracting the virus. 

According to UNAIDS, in 2023, 39.9 million people were living with HIV and about 5.4 million people did not know that they were living with the deadly virus. Hence, there is an urgent need to address this major global public health issue. WHO estimated that 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV in the same year. 

What is HIV? 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a life-threatening virus that attacks the immune system of the body. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of infection.

What happens when a person contracts HIV?

HIV targets the white blood cells (WBC) of the individual, thereby weakening the immune system. This would make the person prone to diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. 

The approved drug, lenacapavir, will be sold under the brand name Yeztugo in the US at a list price of $28,218 a year. As per experts, lenacapavir, proved nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV in large trials last year. 

"Yeztugo will only be as effective as it is accessible and affordable," said Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of the Foundation for AIDS Research. 

How is HIV transmitted?

It could be transmitted via the exchange of body fluids from people living with HIV, including blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions. HIV can also be transmitted to a child during pregnancy and delivery.

How is it not transmitted?

People cannot get infected through ordinary day-to-day contact, such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food, or water, according to the WHO. 

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