Latest news with #PeterSands
The Star
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
A chance to stop HIV with 'game changing' drug
As one of the countries eligible for HIV funding from the Global Fund, Malaysia can expect to gain access to lenacapavir through the health financing group. — AP Filepic Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between with US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the latter said on July 9 (2025). The health financing group set up to battle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, described the deal to procure lenacapavir for LMICs (including Malaysia) as 'a significant milestone for global health equity'. 'This marks the first time in history that an HIV prevention product will be introduced in LMICs at the same time as in high-income countries,' the Global Fund said in a statement. The group said it hoped the agreement with Gilead would make it possible to reach two million people with the revolutionary drug, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June (2025). Drugs to prevent HIV transmission, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), have existed for more than a decade. But because they typically require taking a daily pill, they have yet to make a significant dent in global infections. In contrast, lenacapavir requires only two injections per year and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9% in adults and adolescents – making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine. ALSO READ: This drug offers 100% HIV protection in women 'This is not just a scientific breakthrough – it's a turning point for HIV/AIDS,' Global Fund chief Peter Sands said. 'For the first time, we have a tool that can fundamentally change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic, but only if we get it to the people who need it most.' Under the agreement, countries supported by the Global Fund can access lenacapavir for PrEP, the organisation said, adding that it aimed for the first shipment and delivery to reach at least one African country by the end of this year. This, it said, would mark the start of 'a transformational shift in how HIV prevention is delivered to communities with the highest burden of new infections'. There is particular urgency in countries like South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected by HIV. 'This is a game changer for South Africa,' the country's Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in the statement. 'Lenacapavir offers young women, and everyone at risk, a discreet, long-acting option to stay HIV-free.' – AFP
Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Breakthrough HIV jab to be supplied to millions at knock-down price
The drug company behind a revolutionary new anti-HIV jab has signed a deal to supply the costly injection at a knock-down price to as many as two million people in poorer countries. Gilead Sciences said it would supply lenacapavir at cost to countries mainly in Africa which are supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The preventative jab was hailed as the scientific breakthrough of 2024 and a potential turning point in the campaign to stem the HIV epidemic, which still kills around one person per minute. Clinical trials have shown lenacapavir provides total protection against catching the HIV virus for six months and may last twice that time. The long-lasting nature of the new pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) means it is more effective and more discreet than current daily pills. Yet the £18,300 ($25,000) per-year price has put the injection beyond the reach of countries most in need. Gilead last year signed royalty-free deals allowing six generic drug makers to make and sell low-cost versions of the drug in 120 low- and middle-income countries, but those supplies will take time to get up and running. 'This is not just a scientific breakthrough, it's a turning point for HIV/AIDS,' said Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund. 'For the first time, we have a tool that can fundamentally change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic, but only if we get it to the people who need it most. 'Our ambition is to reach 2 million people with long-acting PrEP.' The agreement was finalised as the United Nations warned that the sudden withdrawal of American aid money used to fight the epidemic had caused a 'systemic shock'. Donald Trump's cuts to America's long running anti-HIV campaign could lead to more than 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million more HIV infections by 2029 if the funding is not replaced. The UN's own UNAIDS agency said: 'The current wave of funding losses has already destabilised supply chains, led to the closure of health facilities, left thousands of health clinics without staff, set back prevention programs, disrupted HIV testing efforts and forced many community organisations to reduce or halt their HIV activities.' The first lenacapavir jabs are expected to be delivered under the new agreement later this year and will be prioritised according to national prevention plans, which typically try to protect the most vulnerable groups, such as young women. Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa's health minister, said: 'Lenacapavir offers young women, and everyone at risk, a discreet, long-acting option to stay HIV-free. 'For far too long, women and girls in our country have carried the greatest burden of this epidemic. 'But scientific breakthroughs must be backed by political will, community leadership, and sustained investment. We are determined to ensure no one is left behind.' Both Gilead and the Global Fund said price terms of the agreement were confidential, and the Global Fund declined to comment further on how many doses would be ordered immediately. Last month, Winnie Byanyima, the head of UNAIDS, said the two million target was not enough. She said: 'We need that product. Gilead has licenced six companies to produce generics and has agreed to sell at cost quantities for two million people. But it is way below what is needed.'
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
'Game changer' for HIV prevention in SA as lower-income countries granted access to breakthrough drug
The Lenacapavir antiviral drug molecule is shown in this illustration. The new drug is said to be a game-changer. Image: Science Photo Library via AFP Lower-income countries will gain access to a "game-changing" HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between with US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said Wednesday. The group set up to battle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, described the deal to procure lenacapavir for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as "a significant milestone for global health equity". "This marks the first time in history that an HIV prevention product will be introduced in LMICs at the same time as in high-income countries," the Global Fund said in a statement. There was particular urgency in countries like South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected by HIV. "This is a game changer for South Africa," South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in the statement. "Lenacapavir offers young women, and everyone at risk, a discreet, long-acting option to stay HIV-free." The Global Fund said it hoped the agreement with Gilead would make it possible to reach two million people with the revolutionary drug, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last month. Drugs to prevent HIV transmission, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, have existed for more than a decade. But because they typically require taking a daily pill, they have yet to make a significant dent in global infections. By contrast, lenacapavir, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, requires only two injections per year and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent in adults and adolescents - making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine. "This is not just a scientific breakthrough - it's a turning point for HIV/AIDS," Global Fund chief Peter Sands said. "For the first time, we have a tool that can fundamentally change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic - but only if we get it to the people who need it most." Under the agreement, countries supported by the Global Fund can access lenacapavir for PrEP, the organisation said, adding that it aimed for the first shipment and delivery to reach at least one African country by the end of this year. This, it said, would mark the start of "a transformational shift in how HIV prevention is delivered to communities with the highest burden of new infections". AFP
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Poorer countries granted access to HIV prevention drug
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The agreement with Gilead would make it possible to reach two million people with the new drug. GENEVA - Lower-income countries will gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between with US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said on July 9. The group set up to battle Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, described the deal to procure lenacapavir for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as 'a significant milestone for global health equity'. 'This marks the first time in history that an HIV prevention product will be introduced in LMICs at the same time as in high-income countries,' the Global Fund said in a statement. The group said it hoped the agreement with Gilead would make it possible to reach two million people with the revolutionary drug, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in June. Drugs to prevent HIV transmission, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis or Prep, have existed for more than a decade. But because they typically require taking a daily pill, they have yet to make a significant dent in global infections. By contrast, lenacapavir, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, requires only two injections per year and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 per cent in adults and adolescents – making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine. 'This is not just a scientific breakthrough – it's a turning point for HIV/Aids ,' Global Fund chief Peter Sands said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire more than 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Singapore Tough questions lie ahead as Singapore accelerates push for driverless vehicles Singapore Man who killed cats by throwing them off HDB blocks has jail term doubled to 27 months Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore Goodbye fraudsters? Dating app Coffee Meets Bagel rolls out identity verification Asia Malaysia confirms existence of document central to ex-PM Najib's house arrest bid, say reports 'For the first time, we have a tool that can fundamentally change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic – but only if we get it to the people who need it most.' Under the agreement, countries supported by the Global Fund can access lenacapavir for Prep, the organisation said, adding that it aimed for the first shipment and delivery to reach at least one African country by the end of 2025. This, it said, would mark the start of 'a transformational shift in how HIV prevention is delivered to communities with the highest burden of new infections'. There was particular urgency in countries like South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected by HIV. 'This is a game changer for South Africa,' South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in the statement. 'Lenacapavir offers young women, and everyone at risk, a discreet, long-acting option to stay HIV-free.' AFP
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Poorer countries granted access to HIV prevention drug
GENEVA: Lower-income countries will gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between with US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said Wednesday. The group set up to battle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, described the deal to procure lenacapavir for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as 'a significant milestone for global health equity'. 'This marks the first time in history that an HIV prevention product will be introduced in LMICs at the same time as in high-income countries,' the Global Fund said in a statement. The group said it hoped the agreement with Gilead would make it possible to reach two million people with the revolutionary drug, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last month. Drugs to prevent HIV transmission, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, have existed for more than a decade. But because they typically require taking a daily pill, they have yet to make a significant dent in global infections. By contrast, lenacapavir, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, requires only two injections per year and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent in adults and adolescents -- making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine. 'This is not just a scientific breakthrough -- it's a turning point for HIV/AIDS,' Global Fund chief Peter Sands said. 'For the first time, we have a tool that can fundamentally change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic -- but only if we get it to the people who need it most.' Under the agreement, countries supported by the Global Fund can access lenacapavir for PrEP, the organisation said, adding that it aimed for the first shipment and delivery to reach at least one African country by the end of this year. This, it said, would mark the start of 'a transformational shift in how HIV prevention is delivered to communities with the highest burden of new infections'. There was particular urgency in countries like South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected by HIV. 'This is a game changer for South Africa,' South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in the statement. 'Lenacapavir offers young women, and everyone at risk, a discreet, long-acting option to stay HIV-free.' – AFP
