Gilead and PAHO agree on lenacapavir HIV prevention access in Americas

Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have announced an agreement to expand access to twice-yearly lenacapavir for HIV prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) across all PAHO Member States in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The agreement uses PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds to establish a coordinated procurement and distribution pathway, covering 14 countries that fall outside Gilead's existing voluntary licensing agreements: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

New HIV infections in Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 13% between 2010 and 2024, according to the press release.

"The Americas today have increasingly effective tools to prevent HIV, but these innovations will have an impact only if they reach the people who need them," said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. "This initiative is an important step toward reducing gaps in access to lenacapavir, expanding the prevention options available to countries and advancing toward HIV elimination."

Gilead also said it is exploring opportunities with the Brazilian Ministry of Health to support local production of lenacapavir in Brazil.

Separately, Gilead said it has expanded its no-profit supply program commitments with the U.S. State Department through PEPFAR and the Global Fund, increasing planned reach from 2 million to up to 3 million people through 2028. Lenacapavir is currently available in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

Twice-yearly lenacapavir is approved in multiple countries as PrEP to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV in adults and adolescents. It is also approved in multiple countries for treating multi-drug-resistant HIV in adults when used with other antiretrovirals.

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