STAT+: Gilead is urged to rework licensing deals for groundbreaking HIV prevention drug
A group of academics is arguing that countries seeking access to a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug from Gilead Sciences may need to issue compulsory licenses.
A group of academics is arguing that countries seeking access to a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug from Gilead Sciences should issue compulsory licenses if the company fails to modify an existing licensing program with half a dozen generic makers.
In an essay in Clinical Infectious Diseases, they complained Gilead pursued voluntary licenses that are too restrictive, which will delay or deny access to its drug. Called lenacapavir, the medicine caused a stir because study data showed a single set of injections every six months could provide virtually complete protection against infection, a form of prevention known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.
This is a big leap from existing options. The only other injectable, sold by ViiV Healthcare, must be administered every two months, compared with twice a year. A daily pill is nearly 100% effective, but compliance is spotty and there is a stigma attached to regularly taking an HIV drug. But the impact the Gilead drug may have on HIV is uncertain due to cost.
