Fiocruz Signs Deal for New Monthly HIV Pill

What is Alimatravir and how does it work?

Alimatravir (MK-8527) is a new oral PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) tablet taken just once a month. It belongs to the NRTTI class of drugs and works by blocking the reverse transcriptase enzyme, preventing HIV from replicating inside human immune cells. The smaller, monthly pill format is designed to make HIV prevention far more convenient than current daily regimens.

What did Fiocruz and MSD sign at the AIDS Conference?

On Tuesday, July 28, during the 26th International AIDS Conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Fiocruz and pharmaceutical company MSD signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement paves the way for Alimatravir to be manufactured in Brazil once it clears regulatory hurdles. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha highlighted that Fiocruz's early involvement gives Brazil faster access to clinical data and could speed up the Anvisa registration process.

Is Alimatravir approved yet?

Not yet. The drug is still undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials, which assess efficacy in a large group of volunteers. After that, it must be approved by Brazil's health regulator, Anvisa. The MOU is intended to keep Brazil at the front of the queue when approvals come through.

What PrEP options does SUS currently offer?

Brazil's public health system already provides oral PrEP using a combination of Tenofovir and Emtricitabine, available as a daily pill or in an on-demand dosing schedule (before and after sexual contact). The national committee Conitec is also evaluating the addition of injectable Cabotegravir, administered every two months, to the SUS formulary.