The Gilead LatAm Strategy addresses pressing public health needs across a region of over 650 million people. In a recent Pharma Boardroom interview, Arturo de la Rosa at Gilead Sciences focuses on virology strengths and oncology growth to improve access to treatments for HIV and hepatitis C. With 2.7 million individuals living with HIV according to the Pan American Health Organization, effective approaches matter greatly. This article analyses how de la Rosa’s plans to unify regional efforts will enhance outcomes, offering insights for decision-makers in healthcare and policy.

Historical Context and Current Trends

Gilead Sciences traces its roots to the HIV crisis of the late 1980s. The company developed treatments that cut HIV deaths sharply and advanced cures for hepatitis C. In Latin America, public systems handle most purchases for these diseases, so partnerships with governments prove essential. Recent shifts restore regional oversight, allowing better coordination than isolated country plans. This structure suits shared issues like HIV and hepatitis, which affect the entire area.

Trends show oncology rising as a priority. Gilead targets one-third of global revenues from this field by 2030. Launches in markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile expand options for breast cancer and other conditions. Meanwhile, virology remains core, with new HIV prevention tools promising to shift care standards. Latin America contributes 4 to 6 per cent of worldwide clinical trials, providing diverse data that speeds approvals and informs pricing.

Core Elements of the Approach

The Gilead LatAm Strategy balances proven virology work with new oncology efforts. Teams sustain leadership in HIV treatments, which now allow normal lives for many patients. For example, Brazil mixes generics with targeted innovations for those who do not respond well to older options. This mix controls costs while maintaining quality.

Oncology demands country-specific tactics. Brazil’s private sector offers solid access, but public areas lag. Colombia covers more broadly, yet funding new drugs challenges budgets. In Mexico, private sales pave the way for public inclusion. Experts stress proving value to payers; therapies must show clear benefits over minor improvements to justify costs.

• Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia lead as focus areas due to high disease loads.
• Smaller nations receive ongoing support to avoid gaps in care.
• Oncology products now reach five key markets, boosting regional options.

A new HIV prevention medicine, launched in the US in June 2024, offers major potential. Gilead commits to supply it without profit to 120 low-income countries, including many in Latin America. Such moves align with World Health Organization goals, like the 95-95-95 targets for HIV: 95 per cent diagnosed, treated, and suppressed.

Partnerships and Access Improvements

Success in the Gilead LatAm Strategy relies on collaborations beyond sales. For hepatitis C, where cures exist, the main hurdle is finding patients. Prevalence sits low at 1 to 2 per cent in high-risk groups, so targeted screening matters. In Mexico and Colombia, Gilead aids governments with resources and advice to locate cases, preventing expensive outcomes like liver transplants that cost 50,000 to 100,000 dollars each.

HIV efforts target diagnostics where needed. Mexico excels in suppression but misses undiagnosed cases; priorities shift to testing. Brazil evaluates advanced treatments for specific groups, respecting effective generics from past patents. The Zeroing In initiative, a 4 million dollar grant programme started in 2024, funds 35 community groups in 21 countries. These efforts strengthen local HIV services and improve adherence.

Clinical trials enhance the ecosystem. The region’s genetic mix—from Brazil’s diverse heritage to Mexico’s indigenous influences—mirrors global populations. Costs run 20 to 30 per cent lower than in North America, attracting investment. Governments in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico streamline processes, with leaders like Mexico’s health minister, an experienced researcher, pushing for faster timelines. Local data shapes regulatory nods and reimbursement, ensuring therapies fit regional needs.

Health Economics and Policy Impacts

The Gilead LatAm Strategy influences economics by cutting long-term costs. Unified efforts could lower per-patient expenses by 15 to 20 per cent through shared diagnostics. Yet, issues like Argentina’s instability call for adaptable pricing, such as tiered rates or local manufacturing. Public spending, which covers 70 to 80 per cent of HIV drugs, benefits from value-based models that highlight savings, like HIV prevention’s potential 10 to 20 billion dollar global impact by 2030.

Policy-wise, the approach urges harmonisation via groups like PAHO. Leaders should push health technology assessments to measure results clearly. Investments in infrastructure, including AI for screening, build lasting systems. Transparent dealings with governments foster trust; de la Rosa notes that outlining mutual gains leads to productive ties.

Future Outlook and Commitments

Gilead views Latin America as a vital partner, not just a market. The company runs a unit for 140 low-income nations, prioritising lives over profits. This ethos drives the Gilead LatAm Strategy, embedding innovations into systems for ongoing progress. Over five years, Gilead aims to lead in HIV elimination, oncology advances, and public health reinforcement.

Societal engagement runs high, from advocates to officials, underscoring responsibility. While challenges persist, focus on solutions yields rewards. The strategy honours past wins—sharp drops in HIV deaths and hepatitis complications—while facing new goals like ending epidemics and easing cancer burdens.

Source

Interview with Arturo de la Rosa (22 October 2025). https://pharmaboardroom.com/interviews/arturo-de-la-rosa-vp-latin-america-gilead/