In a historic move for global health equity, the Global Fund has announced a landmark agreement with pharmaceutical company Gilead to provide the revolutionary HIV prevention drug lenacapavir to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) simultaneously with high-income nations.
The long-acting injectable, marketed as Yeztugo, requires just two shots per year and has been shown to reduce HIV transmission risk by over 99.9% in clinical trials. Unlike daily oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) pills, its twice-yearly dosing could dramatically improve adherence and accessibility in high-burden regions.
“This isnโt just a scientific breakthroughโitโs a turning point for the HIV/AIDS fight,” said Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands, emphasizing the potential to “change the epidemicโs trajectory” if scaled effectively. The deal aims to reach 2 million people, with the first shipments to African countries expected by late 2025.
South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women face disproportionate HIV risks, hailed the development. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi called it a “game changer,” offering a “discreet, long-acting option to stay HIV-free.”
The U.S. FDA approved lenacapavir in May 2025, and the Global Fundโs agreement ensures LMICs wonโt face the usual delays in accessing cutting-edge medicine. The initiative marks a critical step toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, though challenges in distribution and affordability remain.
Why It Matters:
- First-ever equitable rollout of an HIV prevention tool to LMICs alongside wealthy nations.
- Superior efficacy: 99.9% risk reduction with biannual injections vs. daily pills.
- Targets high-risk groups, including young African women, who account for over 60% of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Global Fund stressed that success hinges on rapid, equitable deliveryโa test case for global health justice.
