Gilead expands global Lenacapavir reach through strategic PAHO partnership

USA—Gilead Sciences and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have signed an agreement to expand access to lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered twice a year, across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The agreement establishes a regional access pathway through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, enabling participating countries to procure lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

The arrangement covers 14 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, allowing them to access the medicine outside Gilead’s existing voluntary licensing agreements.

Expanding access to HIV prevention

The partnership complements existing mechanisms for supplying generic versions of lenacapavir and aims to address gaps in HIV prevention across the region.

According to regional estimates, new HIV infections increased by 13% between 2010 and 2024, highlighting the continued need for accessible prevention options.

The agreement seeks to help countries introduce long-acting HIV prevention and expand access through established regional procurement systems.

Gilead said the collaboration builds on its ongoing efforts to improve HIV prevention in Latin America and the Caribbean.

These efforts include the PURPOSE 2 clinical trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of lenacapavir as PrEP.

The company said the trial forms part of its broader commitment to supporting HIV prevention strategies and making scientific advances available to communities that need them.

Supporting country-led implementation

Johanna Mercier, Gilead Sciences’ chief commercial and corporate affairs officer, said the agreement reflects a shared commitment by Gilead and PAHO to help countries move scientific innovation into practical HIV prevention programmes.

She said the partnership aims to accelerate access to new prevention options while supporting public health efforts across the region.

Mercier added that Gilead has worked with governments, public health organisations and communities for decades to expand access to HIV medicines and innovations worldwide.

She said strategic partnerships remain central to the company’s ambition to help end the HIV epidemic.

She also noted that collaboration with PAHO could help countries introduce lenacapavir more quickly, support locally led implementation, and establish the conditions needed to expand access sustainably.

Exploring local production in Brazil

Gilead said it would continue exploring opportunities to work with PAHO and other regional partners, including potential support for local production in Brazil.

The initiative forms part of the company’s global access strategy for lenacapavir, which includes voluntary licensing agreements, technology transfer, and non-profit supply arrangements.

Lenacapavir is approved in multiple countries for HIV prevention and for treating multidrug-resistant HIV.

Its twice-yearly dosing for prevention offers an alternative to daily oral PrEP, which requires consistent adherence.

Previously, Gilead Sciences opened a new 182,000-square-foot research centre at its headquarters in Foster City, California, USA.

The facility is intended to advance the development of medicines for challenging diseases.

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