Aspen Drops Lenacapavir Production Plans Amid Lack of Purchase Guarantees

Aspen Pharmacare, Africa's largest drugmaker, has withdrawn its expression of interest to manufacture Gilead Sciences' HIV prevention injection lenacapavir in South Africa. According to Stephen Saad, Aspen's founder and CEO, the company pulled out because no purchase volumes were promised to local manufacturers willing to invest in production.

'It is off the table for us because no-one's going to promise us volumes,' Saad said in remarks published on September 4. Instead, Aspen will focus its HIV efforts on alimatravir, an experimental monthly pill from Merck.

Lena capavir is a long-acting injection given twice a year that prevents HIV infection and has been one of the most closely watched products in global public health. South Africa tried to secure a domestic supply rather than importing the drug by running an expression of interest process for manufacturers able to handle parts of the lenacapavir value chain.

The South African National Aids Council said its evaluation has concluded and that it recommended three manufacturers to Gilead, which are now moving into technical assessment. However, Aspen decided not to bridge the gap between investment and purchase commitments due to commercial logic.