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PAHO and Gilead expand lenacapavir access in Latin America
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Gilead Sciences have established an agreement to expand access to lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, across Latin America and the Caribbean. Through PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds, 14 countries—including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia—will be able to procure the medication.
Lenacapavir is administered twice a year, offering a significant advantage in adherence compared to daily oral PrEP. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the drug in 2025 following clinical trials showing nearly 100% efficacy. This initiative aims to address rising HIV infection rates in the region, which increased by 13% between 2010 and 2024, with approximately 140,000 new infections occurring annually.
In a separate development, Dr Reddy's Laboratories has signed a royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences for the once-yearly version of lenacapavir. This agreement is intended to facilitate manufacturing and supply in 120 high-incidence countries, including India. While the twice-yearly version of lenacapavir is already approved by the USFDA and the European Medicines Agency, the once-yearly version remains in Phase 3 clinical trials.
Entities
Dr Reddy's Laboratories · Gilead Sciences · Jarbas Barbosa · Johanna Mercier · Latin America and the Caribbean · Pan American Health Organization · World Health Organization · lenacapavir
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Fourteen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including El Salvador, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, can acquire lenacapavir through PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds. croniosv.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.saludiario.com · blink102.com.br · fatopaulista.com.br · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The licensing agreement aims to facilitate manufacturing and supply for lenacapavir in 120 high-incidence countries, including India. www.news18.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] PAHO and Gilead Sciences reached an agreement to provide access to lenacapavir in Latin America and the Caribbean. croniosv.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.saludiario.com · blink102.com.br · fatopaulista.com.br · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] The once-yearly version of lenacapavir is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials and has not yet received regulatory approval. www.news18.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Lenacapavir is an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered twice a year. croniosv.com · www.larepublica.ec
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The twice-yearly administration of lenacapavir for HIV prevention is already approved by the USFDA and the European Medicines Agency. www.news18.com
- [DISPUTED] Dr Reddy's Laboratories signed a royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences for once-yearly lenacapavir. www.news18.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] New HIV infections in the Latin American and Caribbean region increased by 13% between 2010 and 2024. www.larepublica.ec · www.saludiario.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 140,000 new HIV infections are recorded annually in Latin America and the Caribbean. blink102.com.br · fatopaulista.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · www.cbc.bb
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gilead Sciences is working with the Brazilian Ministry of Health to explore local production of lenacapavir. sitedaserra.com.br · www.larepublica.ec · observatoriog.com.br