Tag: Capsid inhibitor

Lenacapavir is a first-in-class HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, a novel type of antiretroviral drug approved in 2022 for multidrug-resistant HIV infections. The drug, sold under the brand name Sunlenca®, represents a significant advancement in HIV treatment, and understanding what is Lenacapavir made of provides crucial insight into its innovative function and formulation.

Lenacapavir is a first-in-class HIV capsid inhibitor that can be dosed twice-yearly, marking a significant advancement in the treatment and prevention of HIV. Knowing what is another name for lenacapavir, specifically its brand names, is important as they indicate the medication's intended use.

Lenacapavir is a first-in-class, long-acting HIV capsid inhibitor administered as a twice-yearly injection, a significant advancement in HIV care. Understanding who qualifies for lenacapavir is crucial, as eligibility depends on its intended use for either prevention (PrEP) or treating multi-drug resistant HIV.

Lenacapavir's breakthrough development as a long-acting HIV treatment and prevention medication was the result of a decades-long, collaborative effort between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, not a single individual. So, who invented lenacapavir? The answer lies in this partnership that built on foundational scientific research.

On December 22, 2022, the FDA approved Sunlenca (lenacapavir), a groundbreaking, long-acting medication for heavily treatment-experienced adults living with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. This first-in-class capsid inhibitor offers a twice-yearly subcutaneous injection, revolutionizing treatment options for those with limited alternatives.

Named the "Breakthrough of the Year" by *Science* magazine in 2024, lenacapavir is a first-in-class, long-acting medication used for both the treatment of multi-drug resistant HIV and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is a capsid inhibitor that acts on the virus in multiple stages of its lifecycle, a novel approach compared to older antiretroviral therapies.

In June 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yeztugo (lenacapavir) as the first and only twice-yearly injectable for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The mechanism of action of Yeztugo involves targeting the viral capsid at multiple points in the HIV-1 life cycle.

In recent clinical trials, lenacapavir demonstrated a 96% lower incidence of HIV infection compared to background incidence for prevention. This incredible efficacy stems from the fact that lenacapavir is a first-in-class, long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, offering a groundbreaking new approach to managing and preventing HIV.