"Clinical trial results for the drug, lenacapavir, showed last year that twice-yearly injections can provide almost complete protection against contracting HIV for individuals at risk in their intimate relationships and for preventing mother-to-child transmission. The medication is also used to treat HIV. The original discoveries that made this medicine possible were funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Scientists believe that the drug could help end the HIV epidemic."
""It's really the only way to bring this epidemic under control," says Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker, director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre in the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cape Town. "We have 31 million people on treatment around the world, but if we don't address protecting people who are susceptible to acquire HIV, we aren't going to bring the epidemic under control.""
The U.S. will invest in lenacapavir, an antiretroviral drug offering twice-yearly injections that can provide almost complete protection against HIV and prevent mother-to-child transmission. The investment aims to reach up to 2 million people by 2028 through partnerships with the Global Fund and Gilead Sciences. Rollout strategies will target countries with the largest HIV epidemics and emphasize preventing mother-to-child transmission. Clinical trials showed high protective efficacy and the drug is also used for treatment. Original discoveries were NIH-funded. Researchers and specialists welcomed the commitment, noting that expanded prevention measures are essential to bring the HIV epidemic under control.
Read at www.npr.org
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