Gilead and PAHO expand twice-yearly lenacapavir access to 14 nations outside licensing deals

Gilead Sciences and the Pan American Health Organization have agreed to expand access to twice-yearly lenacapavir, marketed as Yeztugo in the United States, for HIV prevention across PAHO member states in Latin America and the Caribbean. The agreement will use PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds to create a coordinated procurement and implementation pathway, including for 14 countries not covered by Gilead’s voluntary licensing agreements for generic versions of the drug. The initiative aims to address prevention gaps as new HIV infections in the region rose 13% between 2010 and 2024. Gilead said it will continue working with PAHO and national governments on country readiness, scale-up, generic licensing, technology transfers and potential local production in Brazil, while availability will depend on regulatory approvals and individual country decisions.