Despite major advances in scientific innovation, access to care and growth of health systems, there are still millions of people around the world living with HIV.

Gilead Sciences is granting licenses to six companies to produce lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis, as well as for treating human immunodeficiency virus in heavily pre-treated adults with multidrug-resistant infections.

Gilead Sciences said on Wednesday it has granted royalty-free licenses to six generic drug manufacturers to make and sell cheaper copycat versions of its HIV prevention medicine in 120 low and lower-middle income countries.

Gilead will license the HIV drug lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable, to six generic makers for 120 countries.