Gilead and PAHO Launch New Era for HIV Prevention in Latin America

FOSTER CITY, CA – September 15, 2026 – In a move poised to reshape the fight against HIV in the Americas, Gilead Sciences and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have announced a milestone partnership to accelerate access to a groundbreaking, long-acting HIV prevention drug. The agreement will leverage PAHO’s powerful procurement network to distribute lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), across Latin America and the Caribbean—a region that has seen an alarming 13% rise in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2024.

This collaboration establishes a coordinated regional pathway designed to move a major scientific innovation from the lab to the communities that need it most. It combines Gilead’s cutting-edge pharmaceutical development with a public health mechanism renowned for its ability to secure affordable, high-quality medicines for millions.

“The agreement between Gilead and PAHO reflects our shared commitment to help countries move as quickly as possible from scientific innovation to real-world access to HIV prevention and public health impact,” said Johanna Mercier, Chief Commercial & Corporate Affairs Officer at Gilead Sciences. “This agreement demonstrates how collaboration can help accelerate access, support country-led implementation and create the conditions for sustainable scale.”

For decades, the standard for PrEP has been a daily pill, a regimen that, while highly effective, presents significant adherence challenges for many individuals. The introduction of a twice-yearly option represents a paradigm shift, potentially removing one of the biggest barriers to effective HIV prevention.

“The Americas today have increasingly effective tools to prevent HIV, but these innovations will have an impact only if they reach the people who need them,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “This initiative is an important step toward reducing gaps in access to lenacapavir, expanding the prevention options available to countries and advancing toward HIV elimination.”

A Proven Mechanism for Public Health

At the heart of the agreement are PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds (RRFs), a cornerstone of public health in the Americas for over four decades. By consolidating the purchasing power of its Member States, PAHO’s Strategic Fund can negotiate significantly lower prices for essential medicines and supplies, a model that has been instrumental in the regional elimination of diseases like polio and measles. The fund’s established infrastructure for pooled procurement, quality assurance, and supply chain management provides a ready-made highway for lenacapavir's deployment.

This mechanism ensures that all participating countries, regardless of their size or economic status, pay the same price. Historically, the RRFs have achieved price reductions of up to 90% for some high-cost medicines, making them accessible to nations with constrained health budgets. For the Gilead partnership, this means that 14 countries not covered by the company's existing voluntary licensing agreements—including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia—will have a clear pathway to access this new prevention tool.

The system's success is not just in cost savings but also in logistical support. PAHO assists countries with demand planning and strengthening their supply chains, which will be critical for a new injectable product that requires different handling and administration protocols than oral pills. This technical cooperation is vital for ensuring that the promise of lenacapavir translates into tangible public health outcomes on the ground.

The 'Breakthrough' Drug: Promise and Practical Hurdles

Lenacapavir is not just another drug; its unique properties earned it the prestigious “Breakthrough of the Year” title from the journal Science in 2024. Unlike most antivirals that target a single stage of the HIV lifecycle, lenacapavir is designed to inhibit the virus at multiple stages. This multi-pronged attack gives it a high barrier to resistance and distinguishes it from all other approved classes of antiretrovirals.

The most transformative aspect for prevention is its long-acting formulation. A single injection every six months offers a level of convenience and discretion that could dramatically improve uptake and adherence among populations at high risk, including those who face stigma or have lifestyles that make a daily pill regimen difficult. The PURPOSE 2 clinical trial validated the drug's efficacy and safety, paving the way for its approval as PrEP in multiple countries.

However, the introduction of a long-acting injectable is not without challenges. Successful implementation will require more than just procuring the drug. Healthcare systems must adapt, training providers to administer injections, manage patient scheduling for twice-yearly visits, and monitor for any adverse effects. Furthermore, ensuring equitable access will mean reaching beyond urban centers to rural and marginalized communities, where healthcare infrastructure may be less developed. Public health experts note that community engagement and education will be paramount to build trust and demand for this new prevention method, addressing any potential hesitancy and ensuring it reaches those facing the greatest barriers to care.

A Multi-Faceted Strategy for Global Access

This partnership with PAHO highlights the evolution of Gilead's global access strategy, which moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. While the company continues to use voluntary licensing agreements to allow for generic manufacturing in many low- and middle-income countries, the PAHO deal represents a tailored regional solution for nations that fall outside those agreements. It complements other key initiatives, such as the company’s no-profit supply program in partnership with the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, which aims to reach up to 3 million people by 2028, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

This multi-pronged playbook—combining voluntary licensing, technology transfers, direct supply, and regional partnerships—demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the diverse economic and healthcare landscapes across the globe. By creating different pathways for different contexts, the biopharmaceutical firm aims to lay the foundation for sustainable access at scale.

Further underscoring a commitment to long-term regional solutions, Gilead is also exploring opportunities with the Brazilian Ministry of Health to enable local production of lenacapavir. Such a move would not only serve Brazil’s domestic needs but could also bolster the regional supply chain through its partnership with PAHO, fostering greater self-sufficiency in the Americas. This collaborative framework, bringing together governments, international organizations, and community partners through platforms like the Alliance for the Elimination of HIV in the Americas, is designed to accelerate progress toward ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat.