A first-in-class capsid inhibitor, lenacapavir is a linchpin of Gilead’s long-term strategy in HIV treatment and prevention, but has faced regulatory setbacks in the US.

Gilead execs Jared Baeten and Tomas Cihlar talk to Scrip about how the company, still the leader in HIV, is working toward less-frequent dosing, providing PrEP for broader populations and maybe finding a cure for HIV infection.

Shionogi is hoping to demonstrate the efficacy of its oral COVID-19 candidate Xocova through an appropriate primary endpoint in its Phase III trial, while the Japanese firm is also eyeing global expansion for the drug should a world-first domestic approval be granted.

After the Medicines Patent Pool secured a licensing deal with ViiV Healthcare for long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, prospective generic sub-licensees have until 4 September to submit expressions of interest.