TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

SUNLENCA (lenacapavir sodium)

First-in-Class Orphan Drug Breakthrough Therapy Priority Review Fast Track
Infectious Disease Approved 2022-12-22

Sunlenca (lenacapavir) is an HIV-1 capsid inhibitor indicated, in combination with other antiretroviral(s), for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. It is specifically intended for patients whose current antiretroviral regimen is failing due to resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations.

Source: FDA Label • Gilead Sciences

How SUNLENCA Works

Lenacapavir is a first-in-class, multistage HIV-1 capsid inhibitor. It binds directly to the interface between capsid protein (CA) subunits, inhibiting HIV-1 replication by interfering with multiple essential steps of the viral lifecycle: it disrupts capsid-mediated nuclear uptake of pre-integration complexes, inhibits virus assembly and release, and prevents proper capsid core formation, resulting in non-infectious virions.

2
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
1
Priority Reviews
3
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2022-12-22
Patent Cliff
2041

Pro Metrics

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Routes
SUBCUTANEOUS, ORAL
Dosage Forms
SOLUTION, TABLET

Companies

Active Ingredient: LENACAPAVIR SODIUM

SUNLENCA Approval History

2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
10 FDA actions from 2022 to 2026 · 1 indication expansions
Mar 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Nov 2024 SUPPL
Efficacy
Nov 2024 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)

What SUNLENCA Treats

1 indications

SUNLENCA is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2022. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Source: FDA Label

SUNLENCA Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to SUNLENCA

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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

SUNLENCA FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

SUNLENCA is indicated for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

View full patent landscape →
5 OB patents · 4 families · 273 international docs across 50 countries

SUNLENCA Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Aug 2041
Exclusivity: Dec 2027

Patents (6 active)

US11944611 Expires Aug 28, 2041
US12594267 Expires Jul 15, 2039
US11267799 Expires Aug 16, 2038
US10654827 Expires Aug 17, 2037
US10071985 Expires Aug 17, 2037
US9951043 Expires Feb 28, 2034

Exclusivity

NCE Until Dec 2027
NCE Until Dec 2027
Source: FDA Orange Book

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Revenue Insights

  • Quarterly revenue tracking
  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Cliff: 2041
  • 11 active patents

Trial Analysis

  • Clinical trial tracking
  • Development stage analysis

Competitive Landscape

  • 12 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.