New HIV Prevention Drug Approved—Now Let’s Remove the Final Barrier

Jeffrey A. Singer

The Food and Drug Administration approved a new injectable drug on June 18 that provides pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, requiring individuals to take it only twice a year. By removing barriers to access for adults and adolescents, the FDA makes the drug, lenacapavir (brand name Yetzugo), more widely available—great news for HIV prevention. Manufactured by Gilead Sciences, clinical trials have shown that the drug offers over 99.9 percent protection against HIV for six months.