The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged the immediate global rollout of lenacapavir (LEN), a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug that requires just two injections per year to provide near-complete protection against HIV and AIDS.
Touted as a long-acting alternative to daily antiretroviral pills, lenacapavir was described by WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as “the next best thing” in HIV prevention in the absence of a viable vaccine. Speaking on Monday at the 13th International AIDS Society (IAS 2025) Conference on HIV Science in Kigali, Rwanda, Dr Tedros said clinical trials show the drug can prevent nearly all new HIV infections among high-risk groups.
The WHO highlighted the urgency of making lenacapavir widely available through clinics, pharmacies, and online consultations as global HIV prevention efforts stall. To accelerate access, the agency also advocated for the use of rapid HIV tests instead of more expensive and complex diagnostic methods.
In 2024 alone, 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV. The most vulnerable populations remain sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, incarcerated persons, and young people, according to WHO data.
Although lenacapavir is currently limited to clinical trial settings, the WHO called on governments, donors, and global health partners to swiftly incorporate it into national HIV prevention programmes. This push follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug in June.
Other WHO-recommended prevention tools include daily oral PrEP, injectable cabotegravir (administered every two months), and the dapivirine vaginal ring.
The WHO’s call comes at a time of significant funding cuts to global HIV/AIDS initiatives, including PEPFAR the U.S.-led programme launched in 2003.
By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, with Africa accounting for 65 per cent of the total. Approximately 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes during the year. Meanwhile, 31.6 million individuals were receiving antiretroviral treatment, up from 30.3 million in 2023.
