Japan could become one of the first countries in the world to end the HIV epidemic, says the president of Gilead Sciences Japan, Kennet Brysting. The idea for now could seem a little too ambitious, but it is not entirely unrealistic, given that the availability of medicines that can prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs are not the cure, but control over the spread of virus to the point where the disease is no longer a major public health threat.

What Is The Role Of Preventative HIV Medicines?

Gilead's have two key drugs, Truvada and lenacapavir. These two are playing a crucial role in prevention. Truvada is taken as a daily pill, while lenacapavir requires two injections per year. It can make the virus undetectable in infected individuals and prevent transmission to those who are not infected yet. In trials, lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This is why it is describe as "almost a vaccine".

In 2024, Japan also approved Truvada for HIV prevention, but the country has yet to approve lenacapavir for the same. Until now, people in Japan had been importing generic versions of Truvada or purchasing it from clinics that source it from overseas.

HIV In Japan

Up until now, Japan reported around 25,000 HIV infections, whereas 669 new cases were reported in 2023. For seven consecutive years, the number of new infections remained under 1,000. The downward trend thus shows that the virus has been controlled, however, getting to zero new infections remains the ultimate goal.

Brysting too acknowledged that simply having effective drug is not enough. What is important is to have a proper implementation, access and healthcare support to make sure that these treatments are widely available and effective.

What Are The Challenges In Implementation?

The biggest challenges is testing rates. There is a need to increase testing rates. At this very moment, around 86% people infective with Japan have been tested, but the goal is to increase it up to 95%, with an ideal goal of 100%. Without widespread testing, many infected people may not even know that they are infected and it could transmit the virus.

Another measure issue is the cost of preventative medication. While Japan's health insurance covers treatments for diseases, it does not cover preventative drugs. Those who purchase Truvada for prevention, pay around $470 per month. Some clinics in Tokyo offer generic alternatives too, which is cheaper, but they are not ideal.

Better Healthcare Support

Brysting expressed concern that individuals importing medications might not be consulting doctors regularly, which is essential for monitoring HIV status and overall health. Truvada users need to be tested for HIV initially and every three months, along with screenings for other infections and kidney function checks. Without proper medical supervision, there is a risk of misuse and inadequate protection.

Gilead is in discussions with Japanese authorities to improve access and insurance coverage for Truvada, and progress is being made. Japan has shown efficiency in approving critical medicines, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gilead’s remdesivir was approved in just three days.

What Is The Way Ahead?

Gilead at this moment is not only focused on HIV and hepatitis C, but also expanding into oncology with innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, which strengthens a patient's immune system to fight cancer.

However, Japan’s strict approval processes can slow down drug availability. Phase 3 clinical trials often need to be conducted within the country, and Japan tends to approve medicines much later than other regions. For instance, Truvada was approved for prevention in Japan 12 years after the U.S. and nearly 20 years after its approval for treatment. inancial factors also play a role. The Japanese government adjusts drug prices annually, often reducing them, which can make long-term investment challenging for pharmaceutical companies.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Orzeyful (oveporexton), the first oral treatment for adults with narcolepsy type 1 that targets the underlying cause of the disorder rather than just managing its symptoms.

Developed by Takeda, Orzeyful is the first approved therapy to act on the orexin system, restoring the signaling lost in people with narcolepsy type 1. Existing treatments primarily help control symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy but do not address the disease mechanism.

What Is Narcolepsy Type 1?

Narcolepsy type 1 is a rare, lifelong neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep and wakefulness. It impacts about 1 in 2,000 people in the United States.

The condition occurs when brain cells that produce orexin—a neurotransmitter essential for maintaining wakefulness, regulating sleep, and controlling muscle tone—are lost.

Common symptoms include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions)
• Sleep paralysis
• Hallucinations during the transition between sleep and wakefulness
• Disrupted nighttime sleep

Also read: FDA Approves Moderna's First mRNA Flu Vaccine, Marking A Milestone In Influenza Prevention

How Does Orzeyful Work?

Orzeyful is a twice-daily oral tablet that activates the orexin receptor, helping restore the missing orexin signaling in patients with narcolepsy type 1.

Unlike stimulants or sedatives that only relieve symptoms, the drug targets the biological cause of the disorder.

Clinical Trial Findings

The FDA approval was supported by two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III studies involving 273 adults with narcolepsy type 1 over 12 weeks.

Patients treated with Orzeyful 2 mg experienced:

• Improved ability to stay awake during the day
• Reduced excessive daytime sleepiness
• Fewer cataplexy episodes
• Improvements in sleep paralysis
• Reduced hallucinations during sleep-wake transitions
• Better nighttime sleep quality

Safety And Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects were:

• Insomnia
• Increased urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Increased saliva production

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Few participants discontinued treatment because of side effects.

Orzeyful should not be taken with strong CYP3A inhibitors, and its safety and effectiveness have not been established in patients under 18 years of age.

The FDA has recommended scheduling the drug under the Controlled Substances Act. It can be commercially launched once the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) completes the scheduling process.

Narcolepsy Treatment Landscape

According to an analysis by marketing firm Global Data:

• An estimated 735,082 people were living with diagnosed narcolepsy worldwide in 2024, with cases projected to rise to 761,297 by 2029.
• Generic medicines, with limited innovative therapies available, dominate the current narcolepsy treatment market.
• The development pipeline includes 28 drug candidates, comprising five Phase III and four Phase II assets, with no therapies currently in the pre-registration stage.
• More than 115 clinical trials have been conducted in narcolepsy over the past decade.

Public health officials in Los Angeles have issued a measles exposure alert after an infected visitor spent about 11 hours inside Universal Studios Hollywood, potentially exposing thousands of other parkgoers.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said anyone who visited the theme park on July 26 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. may have been exposed to the highly contagious viral disease.

“With summer travel underway, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases may increase,” said Muntu Davis, the county’s public health officer.

“We urge everyone to confirm their immunity and get the MMR vaccine if needed, especially before traveling and attending crowded events,” Davis added.

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. Public health officials say the virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after an infected person has left.

Officials noted that those exposed could develop measles 7 to 21 days after exposure.

“Those who have had measles in the past or received the recommended measles vaccine are likely protected but should still monitor for symptoms,” the department said.

Who Should Monitor for Symptoms?

Anyone who remains symptom-free for more than 21 days after exposure is no longer considered at risk. For those exposed on July 26, the last day to monitor for symptoms is August 16.

People at higher risk of severe illness—including pregnant women, infants younger than 12 months, people with weakened immune systems, and those who are not vaccinated—should contact their healthcare provider if they were at the park during the exposure period.

If symptoms develop, health officials advise people to:

Stay home and avoid school, work, and public gatherings.

Call a healthcare provider before visiting a clinic or hospital.

Inform the provider about the possible measles exposure and describe symptoms.

Measles Cases Rising in California

The latest exposure comes amid a rise in measles cases across California. As of July, the number of reported cases had doubled compared with the same period last year.

State health officials said California has recorded three localized measles outbreaks in 2026, all of which have since ended.

Measles Situation in the US

In just over six months of 2026, the United States has reported 2,260 confirmed measles cases, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

2,245 cases were reported across 44 jurisdictions.

15 cases were identified among international visitors.

The CDC has recorded 34 measles outbreaks so far this year.

93% of all cases (2,108 of 2,260) have been linked to outbreaks.

The US achieved measles elimination status in 2000, but health experts have warned the country could lose that designation if sustained transmission continues.

What Is Measles?

Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus first infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. It primarily affects children but can infect people of any age who lack immunity.

Symptoms of Measles

Symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after exposure and commonly include:

High fever

Cough

Runny nose

A widespread rash

Why Vaccination Matters

The WHO says vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and notes that disruptions to immunisation programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to setbacks in measles control worldwide.

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, given in two doses, remains the most effective protection against measles and its complications.

A US Senate committee has voted to hold former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.

What Does the Vote Mean?

Also read: Lab Leak 'More Likely' Origin of COVID-19, Says Former Biden Adviser Dr. Ashish Jha

The committee voted along party lines to refer Fauci to the US Justice Department, which will decide whether to investigate or pursue contempt charges over his refusal to answer questions after being directed to do so under a congressional subpoena, The Washington Post reported.

The referral does not automatically result in prosecution. It is now up to the Justice Department to determine whether to pursue the case.

Ahead of the vote, Senator Rand Paul said the issue before lawmakers was Fauci's refusal to answer questions—not his views or his handling of the pandemic.

"The chair directed Anthony Fauci to answer. He refused. That is what we are voting on today—not his opinions, not his policies, not anything he said from the podium six years ago," Paul said.

"We are voting on whether a witness who has received the benefit of a federal pardon can be ordered by this committee to answer questions and then defy that order without consequence," he added.

Fauci, 85, said the decision not to answer questions "pained" him but that he was following the advice of his legal counsel. The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from being compelled to incriminate themselves under most circumstances.

Senate Committee Obtains Fauci's Phone Records

Read More: Severe COVID-19 Can Reactivate Dormant Viruses, May Fuel Long COVID Symptoms: Study

As the contempt proceedings moved forward, the Senate committee said it had obtained a backup copy of Fauci's government-issued iPhone, which he used during his tenure as NIAID director, including while leading the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said the phone records could provide additional information.

"Hopefully, this device will address many of the questions he refused to answer at last week's hearing."

Long-Running Debate Over COVID Origins

The hearing is the latest development in the long-running political debate over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci's legal team noted that he had appeared before congressional committees at least 20 times since the COVID-19 pandemic began and had continued testifying even after retiring in mid-2024. They argued there had been no major COVID-19 developments since then that warranted further testimony.

For years, Fauci has been accused of attempting to conceal the virus's origins and of supporting research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, where some believe the pandemic may have begun through a laboratory leak.

In June, former US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released previously undisclosed communications and documents alleging that Fauci funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology that contributed to the pandemic.

Most scientists, however, continue to believe that transmission from an infected animal remains the more likely origin of the virus.

Recently, former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha, in a media interview, said that he believes the COVID-19 pandemic was "more likely" caused by an accidental lab leak than by natural transmission.

"My view on COVID origins isn't new — I've held it since my time at the White House," Jha, who also served as an adviser to former President Joe Biden, wrote on social media platform X.

"Here's the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something. Based on strong circumstantial evidence I've seen, I think a lab leak is much more likely," he wrote while sharing a clip of his CNN interview.