It’s a biannual injection.
People whose partners have HIV must take antiretroviral medication daily to avoid the risk of infection. However, researchers have developed a groundbreaking solution in the form of an injectable drug that requires administration just twice a year.
This new injectable, Sunlenca (lenacapavir), has proven to be more effective than current oral medications, with clinical trial results showing a 96% reduction in the risk of HIV infection. This is significantly higher than the protection offered by oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications such as Truvada, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Lead researcher Dr. Colleen Kelley, a professor at Emory University, expressed excitement over the drug’s high efficacy, saying, “Seeing these high levels of efficacy – at almost 100% – in an injectable that people only have to take every six months is incredible.” She emphasized that this breakthrough is especially important for individuals who struggle to take daily medications or belong to populations disproportionately affected by HIV.
In the study, 99% of participants who received the Sunlenca injection remained HIV-negative, with only two infections recorded out of 2,179 participants. In contrast, nine infections occurred among the 1,086 individuals who took Truvada. The results also highlighted that people were more consistent with the twice-yearly injections compared to the daily oral pills, which require strict adherence to maintain effectiveness.
Many people at risk of HIV face barriers to consistent access to oral medications. Dr. Kelley pointed out that half of those who start taking daily PrEP discontinue within a year for various reasons. The convenience of an injectable solution could significantly benefit those with difficulty accessing healthcare or staying consistent with daily pill regimens. The study’s success has led to hopes that the FDA will approve Sunlenca for HIV prevention by 2025.
Dr. Carlos del Rio, also from Emory University, added that long-acting antiretrovirals like Sunlenca offer great promise for individuals who cannot take oral medications. He emphasized the need for equitable access to such treatments to drastically reduce new HIV infections on a global scale.
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