Drug Development & Efficacy - Gilead's new injectable is the first of its kind for HIV prevention, administered only twice a year [3] - Clinical trials showed almost 100% protection against HIV [3][19] - The injectable addresses compliance issues associated with daily pills, where only about 50% of people taking pills are compliant [5] Market & Public Health Impact - There are still 30,000 new HIV infections a year in the United States and 13 million worldwide [6] - Over 700 new cases occur weekly in the US, with about 100 HIV-related deaths [6] - Certain regions, like the Southern United States, and demographics, such as women, Black and Latino men in the South, are disproportionately affected [7] Pricing & Accessibility - The injectable is priced roughly in line with other branded PrEP medicines [9] - Preventing an HIV infection can save as much as $11 million in lifetime costs [9] - Over 90% of existing PrEP medicines are covered by insurance companies [10] - Gilead has programs for uninsured individuals and those needing co-pay support [10] - Licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers will provide medicines to over 120 low and middle-income countries [11] Patent & Generics - The injectable has standard patent protection for 12 to 15 years [8] - Generic versions will be available in other countries in about two years, but not in the US for 12 years [12]