By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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FRIDAY, June 6, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 A new injection to prevent HIV<\/a> is expected to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this month.<\/p>\n If approved, the shot \u2014 lenacapavir<\/a> \u2014 would be given twice a year and could be a big step forward in the fight against HIV.<\/p>\n Drugmaker Gilead Sciences<\/a> tested the shot in a study of women and girls. None of the participants who received the injections got HIV.<\/p>\n That early success helped boost Gilead\u2019s stock by 73% over the past year, The Wall Street Journal <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know it\u2019s challenging to take a daily pill for prevention, and we see an incredible opportunity here,\u201d Johanna Mercier<\/a>, Gilead\u2019s chief commercial officer, said.<\/p>\n Right now, more than 400,000 people in the United States use pills to prevent HIV, The Wall Street Journal <\/em>added. These medications are referred to as PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. <\/p>\n Gilead expects the number of users to top 1 million by the next decade.<\/p>\n Many people already say they\u2019d prefer a shot over daily pills. In one survey of more than 500 PrEP users, 95% said they would switch to a long-acting injection.<\/p>\n Sales of other long-acting options, like the shot Apretude<\/a> from GSK, have risen sharply \u2014 up 63% in the past year.<\/p>\n Even with strong results, Gilead faces several hurdles.<\/p>\n One is reaching the people who need PrEP the most. Black Americans represent 39%<\/a> of new HIV cases but only 14% of current PrEP users. <\/p>\n Many people still face stigma or lack insurance coverage, which can limit access.<\/p>\n Gilead says reaching underserved groups is a top goal. Most current PrEP users have commercial insurance, but Medicaid will be key for expanding access to lower-income communities.<\/p>\n Another concern: Some experts worry the new shot may simply replace current Gilead products, like the daily pill Descovy<\/a>, which now holds about 40% to 45% of the market.<\/p>\n But Gilead says the shot should help expand the overall number of people using PrEP in both the U.S. and abroad.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thinking globally about the public health impact we can have,\u201d Mercier said.<\/p>\n The company is working with governments and health groups in the U.K. and low-income countries to raise awareness and make these products more available.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The National Institutes of Health has more on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP<\/a>).<\/p>\n