Lenacapavir for preventing HIV infection

Lenacapavir is in clinical development for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in people who are at risk of HIV infection. HIV is a virus that damages the cells in the immune system and weakens the ability to fight everyday infections and disease. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe the potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when the immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus. There's currently no cure for HIV, but there are effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an antiviral therapy which when taken regularly significantly reduce the risk of the transmission of HIV during unprotected sex. Currently, the only preventative treatment available is two versions of oral medication which are taken daily or on an event-based schedule. Whilst these are highly effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed, they are associated with adherence issues due to the dosing schedule and the stigma around taking antiretrovirals, therefore, a long-acting form of PrEP medication is desirable.