Gilead's twice-yearly shot cut HIV infections by 96% in trial

• Gilead's twice-yearly shot reduced HIV infections by 96% in a second large study, the company said Thursday.
• The data sets the stage for likely FDA approval of Lenacapavir for HIV prevention.
• Shares rose 3% in premarket trading.

Gilead's twice-yearly shot reduced HIV infections by 96% in a second large study, the company said Thursday.

The positive phase three trial data on lenacapavir sets the stage for likely approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for HIV prevention.

"Now that we have a comprehensive dataset across multiple study populations, Gilead will work urgently with regulatory, government, public health and community partners to ensure that, if approved, we can deliver twice-yearly lenacapavir for PrEP worldwide, for all those who want or need PrEP," said Gilead CEO Daniel O'Day in a statement.

PrEP or, pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication taken to prevent getting HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gilead shares climbed more than 1% on Thursday.

The company said 99.9% of participants who received lenacapavir did not acquire HIV, with two cases among 2,180 people. The trial included cisgender men, transgender men, transgender women and gender non-binary people who have sex with partners assigned male at birth.

There were nine cases of HIV in a group of more than 1,000 people assigned to receive Truvada, Gilead's older daily pill used for prevention and treatment. The company said lenacapavir was 89% more effective than Truvada in the study. 

Lenacapavir and Truvada were also "generally well-tolerated" by patients with no new safety concerns, according to Gilead. The drugmaker plans to present detailed data at an upcoming medical conference. 

Gilead in June also said