The first 100% effective HIV prevention drug is approved and going global

It's royalty free and there's already six, generic manufacturers lined up.

https://newatlas.com/infectious-diseases/hiv-prevention-fda-lenacapavir/

@kcarruthers
1/3 The main source for this article is a news release from the drug manufacturer. https://www.gilead.com/news/news-details/2025/yeztugo-lenacapavir-is-now-the-first-and-only-fda-approved-hiv-prevention-option-offering-6-months-of-protection
I can't back up some of the claims, but I have found some more information.

@kcarruthers
2/3 This drug is very effective with only 2 doses per year. It was marketed in the US for $42,250/year, and that has been reduced to $28,218/year. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/health/hiv-fda-lenacapavir.html Though a study showed they could make a 30% profit selling for just $30 https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/jul/23/hiv-aids-prevention-vaccine-lenacapavir-sunlenca-pharmaceuticals-gilead-generic-licensing

@kcarruthers
3/3 They partnered with The Global Fund, who brought in many NGO’s and found generic producers. Their plan is to “reach 2 million people” in low and middle income countries. Though they warn that this may fall short “Without urgent and sustained investments” https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/2025/2025-07-09-global-fund-secures-access-breakthrough-hiv-prevention-drug-lenacapavir/

@lispi314 The $40 price tag just covers manufacturing costs and a 30% profit margin. The $28K is the price charged in the USA. The USA subsidizes the rest of the world's drug marketplace. We have for decades now. We in the USA pay 10x the cost outside the USA for most patented drugs.

Now, about price. Drug companies are a for profit business, they get one drug out of about 100 they investigate. Thus the true cost is far more than what this article quotes. @kcarruthers @derekarunge

@lispi314 @kcarruthers @derekarunge @RegGuy Not muck.