Gates-Backed Effort to Widen Use of $40 HIV Prevention Shot (1)

A twice-yearly injection described as the most promising HIV prevention tool in decades is poised to reach millions more people, with new generic versions priced at about $40 per patient per year.

The Gates Foundation and Indian drugmaker Hetero Labs Ltd. are among the groups moving to produce the medication, lenacapavir, which Gilead Sciences Inc. sells in the US for a list price of more than $28,000 annually under the brand name Yeztugo.

Another Indian manufacturer, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., is also stepping in, partnering with Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Wits RHI to expand supply. ...