Gilead, PAHO pact opens HIV prevention drug access across Latin America

Gilead Sciences has reached an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to broaden access to its HIV prevention drug lenacapavir across Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States drugmaker said on Tuesday.

Under the arrangement, countries that decide to offer the medicine — sold in the United States as Yeztugo for HIV prevention — will be able to obtain it through PAHO's regional purchasing system.

The agreement opens a new supply route in 14 countries that fall outside Gilead's voluntary licensing arrangements for generic versions of the drug. Those eligible are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Lenacapavir is a pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, medicine taken twice a year. Gilead has projected $1 billion in sales for the long-acting drug in 2026, positioning it at the centre of the company's growth plans.

The company cited a 13% rise in new HIV infections across Latin America and the Caribbean between 2010 and 2024, which it attributed to gaps in the use of prevention medicines.

PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said the initiative could help narrow access gaps to lenacapavir and give countries an additional option for HIV prevention.

Separately, Gilead said it is in talks with Brazil's Health Ministry about possible local production of lenacapavir. Its broader access plan combines generic licensing, technology transfers and partnerships, it said.

In 2024, the company granted six generic manufacturers royalty-free licences to make and supply the drug in resource-limited countries.

Gilead noted that actual availability will hinge on decisions taken by individual countries and on regulatory approvals.