(ANSA) – ROME, SEPTEMBER 17 – Gilead’s six-monthly administration of Lenacapavir for the prevention of HIV could reduce infections by 96%. The efficacy of the drug, compared to the daily oral intake of Truvada, has been demonstrated by the results of a phase III Purpose 2 study, conducted on over 3,200 people in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand and the United States. The study, confirmed by the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), demonstrated a reduction in the incidence of infections and superior efficacy in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with lenacapavir compared to daily oral therapy. In fact, 99.9% of study participants treated with lenacapavir did not contract HIV infection. “Because adherence to oral products can be challenging for some people, the twice-yearly injectable form of PrEP has the potential to be one of the most impactful interventions we can have to reduce new infections and move us closer to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States,” said Colleen Kelley, MD, Professor of Medicine at Emory University. Data from the Purpose 1 and Purpose 2 studies will inform future regulatory submissions for the use of lenacapavir for PrEP, which, if approved, could help make PrEP available to more populations and communities around the world who need additional HIV prevention treatments. “The efficacy demonstrated in the Purpose 2 trial, the potential benefits of a six-monthly injection, and the diversity of study sites and participants illustrate the impact that lenacapavir for PrEP could have for people around the world who need new options to reduce their chances of contracting HIV,” said Onyema Ogbuagu, MBBCh, FACP, FIDSA, Principal Investigator of the Purpose 2 study, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine, and Director of the Yale Antivirals and Vaccines Research Program. “This breakthrough adds a significant element to our arsenal of tools to move us closer to achieving an AIDS-free generation.” (ANSA).
2024-09-18 01:06:21