Gilead Receives Positive CHMP Opinions Under Accelerated Review From European Medicines Agency for Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention

Business Wire

25-07-2025

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion under accelerated review recommending lenacapavir—the company's injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor—for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in adults and adolescents with increased HIV-1 acquisition risk. The final European Commission (EC) decision is expected later this year, and, if approved, lenacapavir will be marketed in the European Union (EU) under the trade name Yeytuo ®.
The marketing authorization application (MAA) recommendation will now be reviewed by the EC as it evaluates lenacapavir as a potential new preventative strategy against HIV in all 27 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Additionally, if approved, lenacapavir will be granted one additional year of market exclusivity in the EU as a result of the new indication.
The CHMP also adopted a positive EU-Medicines for all (EU-M4all) opinion, which enables a streamlined assessment for World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification and will facilitate national regulatory evaluations in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).
'This milestone reflects our commitment to reimagine HIV prevention in Europe and around the world,' said Dietmar Berger, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Gilead Sciences. 'Lenacapavir for PrEP has the potential to become a critical tool for public health, helping to expand prevention options for people who face the highest barriers to care.'
Despite ongoing advances in HIV prevention, persistent social and economic factors including stigma and discrimination continue to cause disparities in PrEP use. In 2023, a total of 24,731 new HIV diagnoses were reported across 30 EU/European Economic Area countries—an increase of 11.8% compared with 2022.
'These positive opinions from the CHMP are an important step toward a new HIV prevention option that could help meet the diverse needs of people across Europe and aim at helping end new HIV infections by the EU target of 2030,' said Jean-Michel Molina, MD, PhD, Université Paris Cité, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Saint-Louis and Lariboisière Hospitals. 'The opinions reflect the strength of the clinical evidence and the potential of long-acting innovations like lenacapavir to address real-world barriers to the use of PrEP. Expanding the range of PrEP options, in Europe and in countries around the world, is essential to making HIV prevention more accessible for people who need it most.'
The positive opinions were supported by data from the Phase 3 PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 trials conducted by Gilead. In the PURPOSE 1 trial (NCT04994509), data at the primary analysis showed that administration of twice-yearly subcutaneous lenacapavir led to zero HIV infections among 2,134 participants, 100% reduction in HIV infections and superiority of prevention of HIV infections when compared with once-daily oral Truvada ® (emtricitabine 200mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg; F/TDF) in cisgender women in sub-Saharan Africa. In the PURPOSE 2 trial (NCT04925752), there were two HIV infections among 2,179 participants in the twice-yearly subcutaneous lenacapavir group, demonstrating 99.9% of participants did not acquire HIV infection and superiority of prevention of HIV infections when compared with once-daily oral Truvada among a broad and geographically diverse range of cisgender men and gender-diverse people. In both trials, lenacapavir demonstrated superiority of prevention of HIV infections when compared with background HIV incidence (bHIV) and was generally well-tolerated, with no significant or new safety concerns identified. Data from both trials were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and, based in part on the trial results, in December 2024 the journal Science named lenacapavir its 2024 'Breakthrough of the Year.'
Continued Global Regulatory Filings for Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention, Milestone Partnerships and Global Guidance
Gilead is executing a global access strategy informed by health advocates and organizations that prioritizes speed and enables the most efficient paths for regulatory review, approval of and access to twice-yearly lenacapavir for PrEP.
More information about Gilead's recently announced strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as updates on Gilead's access strategies in countries and regions around the world: See Gilead press release
More information about the WHO's recently announced guidelines for the use of lenacapavir for PrEP: See Gilead company statement
Lenacapavir for PrEP is not approved by any regulatory authority outside of the United States.
There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS.
About the PURPOSE Program
Gilead's landmark PURPOSE program is the most comprehensive and diverse HIV prevention trial program ever conducted. The program comprises five HIV prevention trials around the world that are focused on innovation in science, trial design, community engagement and health equity.
The PURPOSE trials are evaluating the safety and efficacy of an investigational, twice-yearly injectable medicine, lenacapavir, to reduce the chance of getting HIV. The Phase 2 and 3 program, consisting of PURPOSE 1-5, is assessing the potential of lenacapavir to help a diverse range of people around the world who could benefit from PrEP.
More information about the PURPOSE program, including individual trial descriptions, populations and locations, can be found at www.purposestudies.com.
About Lenacapavir
Lenacapavir is approved in multiple countries for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant HIV in adults, in combination with other antiretrovirals. Lenacapavir is also approved in the United States to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV in adults and adolescents (≥35kg) who are at risk of HIV acquisition.
The multi-stage mechanism of action of lenacapavir is distinguishable from other currently approved classes of antiviral agents. While most antivirals act on just one stage of viral replication, lenacapavir is designed to inhibit HIV at multiple stages of its lifecycle and has no known cross resistance exhibited in vitro to other existing drug classes.
Lenacapavir is being evaluated as a long-acting option in multiple ongoing and planned early and late-stage clinical studies in Gilead's HIV prevention and treatment research program. Lenacapavir is being developed as a foundation for potential future HIV therapies with the goal of offering both long-acting oral and injectable options with several dosing frequencies, in combination or as a mono agent, that help address individual needs and preferences of people and communities affected by HIV. The journal Science named lenacapavir its 2024 'Breakthrough of the Year.'
U.S. Indication for Yeztugo ®
Yeztugo (lenacapavir) injection, 463.5 mg/1.5 mL, is indicated for pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in adults and adolescents (≥35kg) who are at risk for HIV-1 acquisition. Individuals must have a negative HIV-1 test prior to initiating Yeztugo.
U.S. Important Safety Information for Yeztugo
BOXED WARNING: RISK OF DRUG RESISTANCE WITH USE OF YEZTUGO IN UNDIAGNOSED HIV-1 INFECTION
Individuals must be tested for HIV-1 infection prior to initiating Yeztugo, and with each subsequent injection of Yeztugo, using a test approved or cleared by the FDA for the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection. Drug-resistant HIV-1 variants have been identified with use of Yeztugo by individuals with undiagnosed HIV-1 infection. Do not initiate Yeztugo unless negative infection status is confirmed. Individuals who acquire HIV-1 while receiving Yeztugo must transition to a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen.
Contraindications
Yeztugo is contraindicated in individuals with unknown or positive HIV-1 status.
Warnings and precautions
Comprehensive risk management:
Use Yeztugo to reduce the risk of HIV-1 acquisition as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy including adherence to the administration schedule and safer sex practices, including condoms, to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
HIV-1 acquisition risk includes behavioral, biological, or epidemiologic factors including, but not limited to, condomless sex, past or present STIs, self-identified HIV risk, having sexual partners of unknown HIV-1 viremic status, or sexual activity in a high-prevalence area or network. Counsel individuals on the use of other prevention methods to help reduce their risk.
Use Yeztugo only in individuals confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. Evaluate for current or recent signs or symptoms consistent with HIV-1 infection. Confirm HIV-1 negative status prior to initiating, prior to each subsequent injection, and as clinically appropriate.
Potential risk of resistance:
There is a potential risk of developing resistance to Yeztugo if an individual acquires HIV-1 before or when receiving Yeztugo, or following discontinuation. HIV- 1 resistance substitutions may emerge in individuals with undiagnosed HIV-1 infection taking only Yeztugo, because Yeztugo alone is not a complete regimen for HIV-1 treatment.
To minimize this risk, it is essential to test before each injection and additionally as clinically appropriate. Individuals confirmed to have HIV-1 must immediately begin a complete HIV-1 treatment regimen.
Alternative forms of PrEP should be considered after discontinuation of Yeztugo for those who are at continuing risk of HIV-1 acquisition and should be initiated within 28 weeks of the last Yeztugo injection.
Long-acting properties and potential associated risks:
Residual concentrations of Yeztugo may remain in systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer after the last injection.
Select individuals who agree to the required injection dosing schedule because nonadherence or missed doses could lead to HIV-1 acquisition and development of resistance.
Serious injection site reactions: Improper administration (intradermal injection) has been associated with serious injection site reactions, including necrosis and ulcer. Only administer Yeztugo subcutaneously.
Adverse reactions
Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) in Yeztugo clinical trials were injection site reactions, headache, and nausea.
Drug interactions
Strong or moderate CYP3A inducers may significantly decrease Yeztugo concentrations. Dosage modifications are recommended when initiating these inducers.
It is not recommended to use Yeztugo with combined P-gp, UGT1A1, and strong CYP3A inhibitors.
Coadministration of Yeztugo with sensitive substrates of CYP3A or P-gp may increase their concentrations and result in the increased risk of their adverse events. Yeztugo may increase the exposure of drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A initiated within 9 months after the last injection of Yeztugo.
Dosage and administration
HIV screening: Test for HIV-1 infection prior to initiating, prior to each subsequent injection, and as clinically appropriate using an approved or cleared test for the diagnosis of acute or primary HIV-1 infection.
Dosage: Initiation dosing (injections and tablets) followed by once-every-6-months continuation injection dosing. Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Initiation: Day 1: 927 mg by subcutaneous injection (2 x 1.5-mL injections) and 600 mg orally (2 x 300-mg tablets). Day 2: 600 mg orally.
Continuation: 927 mg by subcutaneous injection every 6 months (26 weeks) from date of last injection ±2 weeks.
Anticipated delayed injections: If scheduled 6-month injection is anticipated to be delayed by more than 2 weeks, Yeztugo tablets may be taken on an interim basis (for up to 6 months) until injections resume. Dosage is 300 mg orally (1 x 300-mg tablet) once every 7 days. Resume continuation injections within 7 days of the last oral dose.
Missed injections: If more than 28 weeks have elapsed since the last injection and Yeztugo tablets have not been taken, restart with initiation dosing if clinically appropriate.
Dosage modifications of Yeztugo are recommended when initiating with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. Consult the full Prescribing Information for recommendations.
About Gilead HIV
For more than 35 years, Gilead has been a leading innovator in the field of HIV, driving advances in treatment, prevention and cure research. Gilead researchers have developed 13 HIV medications, including the first single-tablet regimen to treat HIV, the first antiretroviral for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help reduce new HIV infections, and the first long-acting injectable HIV treatment medication administered twice-yearly. Our advances in medical research have helped to transform HIV into a treatable, preventable, chronic condition for millions of people.
Gilead is committed to continued scientific innovation to provide solutions for the evolving needs of people affected by HIV around the world. Through partnerships, collaborations and charitable giving, the company also aims to improve education, expand access and address barriers to care, with the goal of ending the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere. Gilead was recognized as one of the leading philanthropic funders of HIV-related programs in a report released by Funders Concerned About AIDS.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer and inflammation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including Gilead's ability to initiate, progress and complete clinical trials in the anticipated timelines or at all, and the possibility of unfavorable results from ongoing and additional clinical trials, including those involving Yeztugo (lenacapavir) (such as PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2); uncertainties relating to regulatory applications and related filing and approval timelines, including regulatory applications for lenacapavir for PrEP, and the risk that any regulatory approvals, if granted, may be subject to significant limitations on use or subject to withdrawal or other adverse actions by the applicable regulatory authority; the possibility that Gilead may make a strategic decision to discontinue development of lenacapavir for indications currently under evaluation and, as a result, lenacapavir may never be successfully commercialized for such indications; Gilead's ability to effectively manage the access strategy relating to lenacapavir, subject to necessary regulatory approvals; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are described in detail in Gilead's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead, and Gilead assumes no obligation and disclaims any intent to update any such forward-looking statements.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Truvada and Yeztugo, including Boxed Warning, are available at www.gilead.com.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company's website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on X/Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) and LinkedIn (@Gilead-Sciences).