India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Indian pharmaceutical companies are entering global partnerships to produce a generic version of Gilead Sciences’ HIV prevention drug, with public health advocates urging that its launch be prioritized in India to improve patient access.
The drug, Lenacapavir (marketed as Yeztugo), is a long-acting injectable designed for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Administered only twice a year, it offers up to 99.9% protection against HIV by targeting the HIV-1 capsid protein, thereby interrupting viral replication and preventing the spread of the virus within the body.
In contrast to the once-daily oral PrEP pill Truvada, Lenacapavir dramatically reduces the treatment burden and minimizes the need for regular clinic visits. To expand global access, Gilead has granted royalty-free voluntary licenses to four Indian manufacturers ,Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hetero, Emcure, and Viatris , enabling them to distribute the drug in 120 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
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Dr. Ishwar Gilada, President Emeritus of the AIDS Society of India (ASI), emphasized that India should be the first to benefit from the affordable generic once it's available. He highlighted India’s role in making Hepatitis C treatments accessible , where Gilead’s $84,000 treatment therapy was offered for less than $300 in India as a model for the current HIV initiative.
At present, Gilead’s branded Lenacapavir costs around $28,000 per year (~?24 lakh) per patient. In stark contrast, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Hetero have pledged to bring down the annual cost to just $40 (~?3,500), dramatically improving affordability and access.
