$3 Per Year: Alimatravir's Potential Game-Changer in Global HIV Fight

Researchers presented an analysis at the AIDS 2025 conference in Rio de Janeiro, suggesting that Merck's once-monthly oral PrEP drug alimatravir could be manufactured for as little as $3 per person per year.

The analysis was based on data from the Trade Vision LLC database and took into account various costs such as formulation, packaging, transportation, and profit margins. The researchers estimated that the cost of production would be around $2.49 per person per year, which rounds up to about $3.

However, this estimate assumes that alimatravir's current cost will drop by 90% due to increased economies of scale once it hits the market. Currently, the drug costs more than 17 times higher than other antiretrovirals.

The analysis highlights the potential for widespread access to PrEP, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where HIV incidence is high. However, Merck's preliminary access plan does not extend its voluntary licenses to all of these countries, leaving out several regions with significant HIV incidence.