Researchers say that a generic version of a drug already on the market, which can suppress and prevent HIV, would still yield a 30% profit even if the current price were drastically reduced. 

Lenacapavir, sold as Sunlenca by US pharmaceutical giant Gilead, is described as “the closest we have ever been to an HIV vaccine” and could potentially cost just $40 (£31) per year per patient—significantly lower than its current price of $42,250 for the first year. The company is being urged to reduce the price worldwide to make the drug more accessible. 

UNAids has highlighted the drug’s potential to “herald a breakthrough for HIV prevention” if it becomes available “rapidly and affordably.” Administered by injection every six months, lenacapavir can prevent infection and suppress HIV in those already infected. In a recent trial, it provided 100% protection to over 5,000 women in South Africa and Uganda, as announced by Gilead last month. 

Currently licensed for treatment, not prevention, lenacapavir’s significant potential was further emphasized at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich. Experts presented a study indicating that the minimum price for mass production of a generic version, based on the costs of its ingredients and manufacturing, could be $40 per year while still allowing for a 30% profit, assuming an annual usage by 10 million people. They estimated that in the long term, about 60 million people would likely need to take the drug preventatively to significantly reduce HIV levels. 

Dr. Andrew Hill of Liverpool University, who led the research, remarked, “You’ve got an injection somebody could have every six months and not get HIV. That’s as close as we’ve ever been to an HIV vaccine.” Most current HIV prevention methods rely on daily pills and barrier measures like condoms. 

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