Sign in Subscribe
AIDS treatment

Global Fund and Gilead Sciences Partner to Revolutionize HIV Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has signed an access agreement with Gilead Sciences to procure lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention medication, for low- and middle-income countries. This groundbreaking deal will make lenacapavir available in these countries at the same time as in high-income countries, a significant milestone in promoting global health equity. The agreement comes after the US Food and Drug Administration approved lenacapavir for HIV prevention in June, marking one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention in decades.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Global Fund and Gilead Sciences have partnered to make lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention medication, available in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • This marks the first time an HIV prevention product will be introduced in LMICs simultaneously with high-income countries, a significant step towards global health equity.
  • Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly, long-acting injectable for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), offering a new option for individuals experiencing stigma, adherence challenges, or other barriers to regular HIV prevention methods.
  • The agreement prioritizes early access to lenacapavir for countries with high HIV incidence, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The Global Fund aims to reach 2 million people with long-acting PrEP, but requires sustained investments and support from the international community to achieve this goal.
  • The partnership includes technical assistance, policy guidance, demand generation, and community mobilization from key organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, the Gates Foundation, and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

Statistics:

  • 2 million: The Global Fund's target number of people to be reached with long-acting PrEP by the partnership.
  • End of 2025: The expected delivery date for the first shipment of lenacapavir in at least one African country, marking the beginning of a transformational shift in HIV prevention delivery.
  • 100%: The rate of the Global Fund's ambition to make available lenacapavir for PrEP to countries supported by the organization.
  • 2024: The year in which the US Food and Drug Administration approved lenacapavir for HIV prevention.

Sources:

  • The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Press Release: Global Fund and Gilead Sciences Partner to Revolutionize HIV Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. July [month withheld].
  • Peter Sands, Executive Director, Global Fund, quoted in the Global Fund press release.
  • Hui Yang, Head of Supply Operations, Global Fund, quoted in the Global Fund press release.
  • Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, South Africa, quoted in the Global Fund press release.
  • Kate Hampton, CEO, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), quoted in the Global Fund press release.

Read more