The European Commission (EC) has authorised GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) subsidiary ViiV Healthcare’s HIV-prevention drug Apretude.
Known scientifically as cabotegravir, Apretude can be used in combination with safe-sex practices to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in high-risk adults and adolescents.
Cabotegravir is given as few as six times per year yet has proved more effective in HIV prevention compared to a daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option in clinical trials.
“This authorisation marks a pivotal milestone for people across the EU who could benefit from an innovative, long-acting HIV prevention option that may better suit their personal preferences," said Deborah Waterhouse, chief executive at ViiV Healthcare.
She added that long-acting PrEP, alongside other HIV prevention strategies, “plays an important role in helping to address some of the challenges that people may have with oral PrEP options”.
Apretude delivered £41 million in global sales in 2022, a mere fraction of GSK’s £5.8 billion in sales across its entire HIV portfolio.
For US patients without insurance, the drug does not come cheap. Each three-millilitre vial costs over US$4,000 (£3,227), according to drugs.com.