Gilead's twice-yearly shot to prevent HIV succeeds in late-stage trial

Gilead announced that its experimental twice-yearly medicine to prevent HIV was 100% effective in a recent trial. The trial involved around 2,000 women who received Gilead’s shot lenacapavir and none of them contracted HIV. As a result, the data monitoring committee recommended expanding the trial and offering the treatment to all participants. Gilead’s shares rose about 7% following the announcement. The company aims to introduce a new form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with this development. Gilead will replicate the results in a Phase 3 study before seeking FDA approval. If successful, the drug could be available as early as late 2025. PrEP, which reduces the risk of HIV transmission, is currently underutilized, and longer-acting options may increase accessibility and effectiveness. Activists urge Gilead to address affordability and access in low and middle-income countries with high HIV incidence rates.