U.S. Delivers First Doses of Lenacapavir to Fight HIV in Africa

Gilead Sciences Inc. has commenced the delivery of lenacapavir, an HIV prevention drug, to Zambia and Eswatini as part of a U.S. effort to curb AIDS in high-prevalence countries. Despite the initial rollout, U.S.-funded doses won't be supplied to South Africa due to recent political tensions.

Gilead Sciences Inc. has made significant strides in the global fight against AIDS by sending about 1,000 doses of lenacapavir to Zambia and Eswatini. This distribution marks the first delivery under a U.S. initiative aiming to supply the HIV prevention drug to regions with high AIDS prevalence.

Despite this advancement, the U.S. will not distribute these government-funded drugs to South Africa, the country with the world's highest HIV burden. This decision stems from strained relations following political disagreements between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The plan, announced by the U.S. State Department in September, targets reaching two million people over three years with lenacapavir at no profit. This endeavor is part of a partnership involving the Global Fund and PEPFAR, with efforts to gain regulatory approvals ongoing in several African countries.

(With inputs from agencies.)