HIV-Prevention Drug To Be Available For $40 Annually From 2027

A breakthrough in the global fight against HIV is on the horizon as generic versions of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable drug, will be available for as little as $40 per year in low- and middle-income countries starting in 2027. The announcement was made Wednesday by Unitaid and the Gates Foundation, which have secured separate agreements with Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers to make affordable generics of the medicine.

Marketed in the United States under the brand name Yeztugo by Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir costs around $28,000 annually. The generic rollout marks a major step in expanding access to a drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent. “Far cheaper generics are really critical for the scale-up of prevention of HIV,” said Carmen Perez Casas, Unitaid’s strategic lead for HIV. “Now, with this product, we can end HIV.”

The deal announced by Unitaid includes partnerships with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and Wits RHI to provide the medicine in 120 countries. Initial production will be based in India, with future plans for regional manufacturing. Meanwhile, the Gates Foundation confirmed a similar agreement with Indian drugmaker Hetero. “Scientific advances like lenacapavir can help us end the HIV epidemic, if they are made accessible to people who can benefit from them the most,” said Trevor Mundel, head of global health at the foundation.

Global efforts since 2010 have reduced new HIV infections by 40 percent, yet 1.3 million people were newly infected in 2024, according to UNAIDS. Pending the wider rollout of generics, Gilead and the Global Fund are working on an interim initiative to ensure affordable access in lower-income nations, with U.S. support reaffirmed this month. The first units are expected to reach at least one African country before the end of the year following U.S. approval of Yeztugo in June.