Lenacapavir was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 18 for use as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). It is an injection given twice a year. It will be sold under the brand name Yeztugo (yez-TOO-go). Clinical trials proved the drug blocked HIV in 100% of >2,000 cisgender women who’d received it in the PURPOSE 1 trial. The drug blocked HIV in nearly 100% of>2,000 cisgender men and gender-diverse persons who’d received it in the PURPOSE 2 trial.
Lenacapavir (Sunlenca) was approved for HIV treatment in 2022 for people with HIV. This was specific to those with limited treatment options due to drug resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations. Because it is a capsid inhibitor, the chance of developing drug resistance when taking it for PrEP is low. Capsid inhibitors are a new class of medication not used in any other drugs currently. Yeztugo’s price will be comparable to Apretude, the long-acting injectable which was approved for PrEP in 2021.
Providers: For more information, refer to the Gilead website or prescribing information. There is an upcoming training opportunity for clinicians to learn more on July 11.
Consumers: If you are interested in this new PrEP option, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you have any questions, please contact Eric Mayes, PrEP Services Coordinator, or Jenny Calhoun, HIV/STI Nurse Consultant. Eric can be reached at eric.mayes@vdh.virginia.gov. Jenny can be reached at jenny.calhoun@vdh.virginia.gov.