US FDA Approves Use Of The Most Practical Anti-HIV Injection

Illustration of injection drugs for HIV (Freepic)

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just given the green light for the use of injections twice a year to prevent HIV infection. The drug is calledlenacapavir, and is marketed under the trade name Yeztugo by pharmaceutical companyGilead Sciences.

This injection is claimed to be a major breakthrough in the world of HIV prevention because it provides nearly total protection of up to 96%, based on clinical trial results.

"Yeztugo can be the transformative PREP option we've been waiting for. With just two injections per year, this has the potential to increase access, compliance and reduce stigma," said Dr. Carlos del Rio, infectious disease expert from Emory University, quoted from the CNN page.

This drug works by preventing HIV from developing when the virus enters the body, just like other PRE-Exposure Prophylaxis principles. The difference is, if so far PREP has to be consumed every day (such as Truvada), or every two months (such as Apretude), then lnacapavir only needs to be injected twice a year.

"Lenacapavir is a form of private and not a hassle, namely one injection, and you don't have to think about it again for six months," said Dr. Jared Baeten ofUS Sciences.

The results of the PURPOSE 2 clinical trial show that of the 2,180 participants using lenacapavir, only two people were infected with HIV. This makes it 89% more effective compared to Truvada's daily PrEP pills. In fact, in another study (PURPOSE 1), this drug shows 100% effectiveness in women.

This FDA approval is also a new hope in overcoming the stigma and fear that is still attached to the HIV issue, especially among LGBTQ+.

One of the clinical trial participants, Ian Haddock, said that he had started consuming daily PREP since 2015, but often forgot or experienced side effects such as nausea. When he heard about lenacapavir, he was immediately interested because of its more practical form.

"Finally there are options that are not only effective, but I can also live with without having to remember every day. This is a full moment for me," said Haddock, founder of the organization's Normal Anomaly Initiative.

According to CEO Juli Sciences, Daniel O'Day, lenacapavir is the result of 17 years of research and is proof of the advancement of medical science in overcoming HIV.

This is a historic moment. With just two injections per year and high effectiveness, we have a new tool that can prevent HIV widely," said O'Day.

Although it has been approved, the official price of lenacapavir for HIV prevention has not been announced. For HIV resistance treatment, it is known that this drug can reach US$45 thousand or Rp738 million per person per year without insurance. However, studies show that if mass-produced, the price can be reduced to US$93 (Rp1.5 million) or even US$40 (Rp656 million) per year, if a generic license is applied.

Experts assess this approval is an important step towards a world without HIV. However, there are concerns as the current US administration proposes a budget cuts of more than 1.5 billion US dollars or IDR 24 trillion for HIV prevention programs.

The future of HIV prevention should not be sacrificed because of politics. Now is the time to strengthen support." said Carl Schmid of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute.