An injectable HIV drug with a novel mechanism has been named Breakthrough of the Year by the influential U.S. journal Science. The drug, lenacapavir, targets the structure and function of HIV's capsid protein, providing protection for six months with each shot.
Unlike traditional HIV medications that disrupt viral enzymes by binding to their active sites, lenacapavir interacts with the capsid proteins that form a protective cone around the viral RNA. This innovative approach offers a new pathway in HIV prevention strategies.
Developed by American biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir has garnered significant hope among HIV/AIDS researchers. A large efficacy trial conducted in June among African adolescent girls and young women reported zero HIV infections, demonstrating 100 percent efficacy.
If widely adopted as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), lenacapavir could dramatically reduce global HIV infection rates. However, its impact will depend on factors such as access, delivery, and demand. Regulatory approval is anticipated by mid-2025 at the earliest.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
