The AAAS Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award has been presented to Wesley Sundquist, Moupali Das, and Yvette Raphael for their contributions to the development and clinical implementation of lenacapavir. The medication offers long-lasting HIV protection via a six-month injection, eliminating the requirement for daily pills.
Wesley Sundquist, chair of the University of Utah Department of Biochemistry, conducted foundational research on the structure and functions of the HIV virus's capsid protein. His work identified the capsid as a viable drug target, challenging previous scientific assumptions that the protein was primarily a structural element. This research laid the groundwork for Gilead Sciences to develop capsid inhibitors over a period of approximately 15 years.
Moupali Das, vice president of Clinical Development, HIV Prevention & Pediatrics at Gilead Sciences, led the design of clinical trials to evaluate the drug for prevention. The PURPOSE 1 trial, which included women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda, showed 100% efficacy in preventing infections. The PURPOSE 2 trial, involving diverse populations in the United States, Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, Peru, Argentina, and Mexico, showed a 96% reduction in new infections.
Yvette Raphael, co-founder and executive director of Advocacy for Prevention of HIV in Africa, served as Chair of the PURPOSE 1 Advisory Board from 2019 to 2024. Her role involved ensuring community trust and advocating for the inclusion of diverse groups, such as pregnant women and adolescents, in clinical trials to ensure the drug would be accessible and appropriate for those most in need.
Despite the success of lenacapavir, concerns remain regarding the sustainability of basic research and global distribution. Sundquist noted that funding cuts to basic science could create weaknesses in the drug development pipeline. Additionally, the short-term authorization for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) expired as of April 30, 2025, which Sundquist suggested could impact the broad distribution of lenacapavir in developing regions.
