STAT+: AIDS group sues Trump administration over undisclosed agreement with Gilead

STAT PlusPharmalot AIDS group sues Trump administration over undisclosed agreement with Gilead The agreement was at the heart of a settlement between the government and Gilead over patents for HIV prevention Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanApril 28, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. An AIDS activist group filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for failing to disclose a research and development agreement that was at the heart of a settlement between the U.S. government and Gilead Sciences over patents for HIV prevention. The settlement resolved a contentious lawsuit that was filed six years ago by the previous Trump administration after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintained that Gilead infringed its patent rights. The agency had helped fund academic research that later formed the basis for two Gilead HIV pills, Truvada and Descovy.Advertisement The administration had alleged that Gilead ignored the contributions by CDC scientists, exaggerated its own role in developing HIV prevention drugs, and refused to sign a licensing agreement despite “multiple attempts” at reaching a deal after unfairly reaping hundreds of millions of dollars from research funded by taxpayers. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, drug development, HIV/AIDS, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: Supreme Court to hear case about ‘skinny labeling’ and generic access Pharmalot April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about warnings over Trump’s MFN plan, Purdue Pharma sentencing, and more Advertisement Pharmalot April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Lilly deal, an Intellia CRISPR rare-disease treatment, and more Pharmalot April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Trump deal with Regeneron, reclassifying medical marijuana, and more Subscriber Picks