New drug release! Can the Age of AIDS be ended?

AIDS, also known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is a disease caused by HIV infection that seriously impairs the immune system. HIV is a major global public health problem, with 40.4 million people dying from HIV infection to date, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) website. By the end of 2022, 39 million people worldwide are expected to be living with HIV.

In recent years, trends in the prevalence of HIV and measures to combat it have changed significantly. In June, the US biopharmaceutical company Gilead released the latest research results that Lenacapavir is 100% effective in female HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), providing a disruptive new drug for the anti-HIV drug circuit. The rapid development of AIDS treatment drugs, the author believes that there are mainly the following reasons.

First, scientific and technological progress. In the field of AIDS treatment, scientific and technological progress and innovation continue to promote the development and clinical application of new special drugs. From multi-drug combination antiretroviral therapy, to the development of new drugs with integrase inhibitors, to pre-exposure prophylaxis, scientific and technological advances have brought new hope and possibilities for the development of specific AIDS drugs. Through continuous innovation and clinical research, remarkable progress has been made in the field of AIDS treatment, which has greatly improved the quality of life and life expectancy of people living with HIV.

Second, financial support. The development and promotion of AIDS specific drugs requires a large amount of capital investment. At the national level, China has set up special funds to support AIDS prevention and treatment, drug research and development, and patient assistance. Through the President's Emergency Plan for Relief (PEPFAR), the United States provides funding to support the global AIDS response. In terms of pharmaceutical companies, large pharmaceutical companies such as Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck, etc., invest a lot of money in the research and development, clinical trials and marketing of AIDS drugs. Public welfare foundations and ngos, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Health Initiative, provide financial support to reduce the cost of AIDS drugs and expand treatment coverage through partnerships with the government and private sector. Through the support of the government, pharmaceutical companies, the Foundation and non-governmental organizations, multi-channel funding is invested to accelerate the development process of AIDS drugs, expand treatment coverage, and ultimately achieve the global AIDS prevention and control goals.

Third, policy and social support. On the one hand, drug patent protection provides powerful intellectual property protection for pharmaceutical companies and encourages pharmaceutical companies to invest heavily in research and development. On the other hand, through the intervention of governments and international organizations, drug prices can be reduced and affordability improved. Education and advocacy: raise public awareness of HIV/AIDS, reduce discrimination, and increase willingness to test and treat. In addition, the use of condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other preventive measures should be widely promoted to reduce new infections.

The rapid progress of AIDS prevention and treatment drugs is the result of many factors, not limited to scientific and technological progress, financial investment, policy and social support. A combination of factors has driven the development and application of AIDS drugs, significantly improving the quality of life and extending the life expectancy of people living with HIV. In the future, with further breakthroughs in gene editing, immunotherapy and vaccine research and development, the goal of completely curing AIDS is expected to be achieved!