HIV Pill Patent Gives Trump Team Leverage in Gilead Price Talks

The Trump team has a secret weapon as it tries to bargain down a pricey pill that prevents the spread of HIV: It owns a patent on the drug.

It’s a battle with billions at stake for Gilead Sciences Inc., which has cornered the HIV prevention market with Truvada. The pills can cost as much as $1,700 a bottle and earned the company $2.6 billion in U.S. sales in 2018, according to Bloomberg data.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told NPR this week the administration is negotiating with Gilead Sciences Inc. to drive down Truvada’s cost. ...