A major step in the fight against HIV/AIDS has been announced: a powerful new HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, will be made available at a much lower cost in over 120 low and middle-income countries by 2027.
Currently, Lenacapavir costs around $28,000 per person per year, but thanks to a new deal, a low-cost version will be sold for just $40 per year, which is about 0.1% of the original price.
What Is Lenacapavir and How Does It Work?
Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention drug given as an injection twice a year. Each shot protects a person from HIV infection for six months.
The drug works by stopping HIV from multiplying inside the body’s cells, which helps prevent the virus from spreading.
Lenacapavir can also be used to treat people already living with HIV, not just to prevent infection.
Why This Matters for HIV Prevention
Health experts say that making Lenacapavir affordable could help millions of people, especially in countries hardest hit by HIV.
Groups that could benefit the most include:
- Young women and girls
- LGBTQ+ communities
- Sex workers
- People who inject drugs
This new injectable treatment could also replace daily PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) pills, which are often hard for people to take consistently and can carry social stigma.
Right now, only 18% of people who need PrEP are using it, according to the Gates Foundation.
Global Support and Approval
Lenacapavir has shown strong results in clinical trials, with one study reporting a 100% success rate in preventing HIV infection.
In July, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recommended the drug for HIV prevention.
It has also been approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission.
Who Made This Deal Possible?
The lower-price agreement was made possible through efforts by:
- Clinton Foundation
- Gates Foundation
- South Africa’s Wits RHI
- Other global health partners
Former US President Bill Clinton helped negotiate the deal with pharmaceutical companies to make the drug affordable in developing countries.
When Will the Cheaper HIV Drug Be Available?
The low-cost, generic version of Lenacapavir is expected to launch in 2027, after regulatory approvals are completed. Some countries may start getting access earlier.
A study shows that giving Lenacapavir to just 4% of the population could prevent up to 20% of new HIV cases.
The Ongoing Fight Against HIV and AIDS
Despite progress, over 40 million people still live with HIV worldwide. In 2024, 1.3 million people were newly infected, and over 600,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses.
South Africa, with the highest number of HIV cases (almost 8 million), will be one of the countries to benefit from the new, affordable drug.
Conclusion: A Big Step Toward Ending HIV
The affordable rollout of Lenacapavir could change the future of HIV prevention and treatment, especially in the world’s poorest countries. With broader access to this life-saving injection, experts hope we are one step closer to ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Source: Ed Habershon – BBC News
