The possible “vaccine” against HIV enters a new phase of testing

2024-12-17 03:30:00

A Gilead announced that will begin, soonthe evidence of Phase 3 of drugs that can prevent HIV infection with a single annual dose.

If effective, this formula it will be the closest to a vaccine against HIV in four decades of research. The company plans to begin testing next yearwith regulatory registrations expected by 2027.

The medicine is a new formulation of lenacapavirwhich has already been shown to be effective in preventing HIV with one dose every six months. At an event on Gilead’s HIV portfolio, executives presented data from a pharmacokinetic study strengthen vitality of this formulation of the annual dose.

Laboratories and experts are looking for ways to prevent the disease (Image: Shutterstock/Marc Bruxelle)

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Advances in HIV prevention are emerging

• This progress comes in the context of rapid innovations in HIV prevention, such as PreEPwhich is now available in the form of daily pillBut can be difficult to maintain for many;
• In 2021, the US Food and Drug Association (FDA). approved A first injectable form of PrEP, the Around hereadministered every two months, and Gilead plans to launch its semi-annual version in 2025;
• Gilead has also signed agreements for distribute or lenacapavir in low- and middle-income countriesbut there are criticisms about global accessibility.

Although these medicines are not vaccines, offer effective protection while they are in the body, representing significant progress in relation to HIV vaccines, which have not yet been successful in advanced trials. In addition to the annual shot, Gilead is also developing long-acting oral PrEP options.

An annual shot being tested would be the closest medicine to a vaccine against the disease ever created (Image: Kitsawet Saethao/Shutterstock)