New injectable drug cuts HIV infection risk by 96% in clinical trial

A new clinical trial shows that the injectable drug Lenacapavir can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 96% when administered twice a year. This is a significant improvement over daily oral medications, which require consistent use to be effective. In the trial, 99% of participants receiving Lenacapavir did not contract HIV, compared to nine infections in the group taking the daily pill Truvada. The study included diverse participants from various countries, highlighting the need for accessible HIV prevention options. Lenacapavir has been submitted to the FDA for approval, with hopes it could be available by 2025. Researchers emphasize the importance of making this new option accessible to populations disproportionately affected by HIV.