In a major boost for HIV prevention, ViiV Healthcare has announced that at least two million doses of its long-acting cabotegravir (CAB LA) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will be available for low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs) between 2025 and 2026.
This announcement made at the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P2024) held in Lima, Peru, marks a significant commitment from the global HIV specialist company.
This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for HIV prevention treatments in regions hardest hit by the epidemic, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of lives continue to be affected.
Speaking at the HIVR4P2024 conference, ViiV Healthcare CEO Deborah Waterhouse emphasized the significance of long-acting PrEP as a ‘game-changer’ in HIV prevention.
« CAB LA provides a crucial option for populations disproportionately affected by HIV, including young women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, » she highlighted, adding that the company is committed to partnering globally, regionally, and locally to ensure access to this vital preventive treatment.
Why this Matters
Despite the availability of PrEP, an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2023, underscoring the urgent need to scale up access to new and innovative prevention options like CAB LA.
As a result, the introduction of CAB LA, the first injectable PrEP option is seen as a major advancement. The drug is being rolled out at record speed in countries with high HIV prevalence.
Since its approval by the U.S. FDA in 2021, under the brand name Apretude, CAB LA has been rolling out quickly in Sub-Saharan Africa and other low-income countries.
Notably, ViiV has already launched the drug in Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Ukraine, and plans to reach 14 countries by the end of 2024.
In order to further expand access, CAB LA is available at a not-for-profit price for many of these regions, with support from partners like PEPFAR and The Global Fund.
Additionally, the company also signed an agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool to allow the development of cheaper generic versions of the drug.
CAB LA is a long-acting injectable medication that protects against HIV-1 infection, intended for adults and adolescents at high risk of HIV.
When combined with safer sex practices, such as using condoms, it offers a more convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP, making it particularly beneficial for those who struggle with adherence to daily medication.
ViiV Healthcare was established in 2009 by GSK and Pfizer, with Shionogi joining in 2012. The company is dedicated to advancing treatment and care for people living with HIV and those at risk of acquiring it.
By tripling its supply of CAB LA by 2025, ViiV Healthcare is taking a big step forward in helping communities most affected by the virus. Ultimately the hope is that with more access to this long-acting option, HIV infections can be prevented moving closer to ending the epidemic.
By Gladys Asu Ngouana in Lima, Peru
