Lenacapavir: Agreements to Expand Access to HIV Prevention

On September 24, 2025, UNAIDS held an important press conference in New York and Geneva alongside the United Nations General Assembly, announcing a groundbreaking agreement that makes the long-acting HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir significantly more accessible than before.

Previously, the drug cost up to $28,000 per year in the United States; agreements with generic manufacturers aim for a prevention price of $40 per person per year. This is not a current retail price for every country and excludes the initial oral regimen. This is seen as a historic turning point, attracting widespread international attention.

UNAIDS Announces New Agreement on Access to HIV Prevention Drugs

In its official statement, UNAIDS emphasized that this is a "critical moment" in the fight against HIV. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, stated that this large-scale price adjustment will unlock the potential of new antiviral drugs, while increasing the opportunity for people in low- and middle-income countries to be protected from the risk of HIV infection.

Lenacapavir – A Revolutionary Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug

Lenacapavir, developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, is considered one of the most important advances in the field of HIV prevention. The drug only requires 2 injections per year, reducing the burden of daily medication use like oral PrEP.

Results from the clinical trial PURPOSE 2, published in the medical journal New England Journal of Medicine, showed a prevention efficacy of up to 96–100%.

Before this agreement, the cost of HIV treatment with Lenacapavir in the United States reached up to $28,000 per year, exceeding the affordability of most of the global population. Thanks to the cooperation between UNITAID, Gates Foundation, CHAI, Wits RHI, and generic drug manufacturers in India, the agreements aim for a prevention price of $40 per person per year, marking a historic turning point in pricing and accessibility.

The Role of UNITAID and Gates Foundation

UNITAID and Gates Foundation have played an important role in financial support, promoting the production of generic drugs, and ensuring stable supply to truly reduce the cost of HIV prevention.

The agreement includes the participation of major Indian generic drug manufacturers such as Dr. Reddy’s and Hetero, ensuring the production of the drug at an affordable price and meeting global demand.

Importance for Low-Income Countries

UNAIDS has repeatedly emphasized the issue of health inequality, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where high-risk groups often lack access to prevention services. Reducing the price to $40 per year has the potential to save millions of lives, especially vulnerable groups such as men who have sex with men, young women in Africa, and people who share needles.

A study published in The Lancet HIV estimated that if purchased at scale, the price of the generic Lenacapavir could range from $35–46 and even decrease to $25 in the future. This not only improves medical effectiveness but also ensures economic sustainability in public health.

The Goal of Ending AIDS by 2030

The goal of UNAIDS is to reduce new infections to below 370,000 per year by 2025. However, in 2024, approximately 1.3 million new infections were still recorded.

This agreement is seen as an important tool to promote the global goal. If more than 20 million people in high-risk groups can access the prevention drug, new infections could be significantly reduced, making an important contribution to the effort to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Lenacapavir in a Comprehensive Prevention Strategy

Lenacapavir does not replace traditional prevention methods but serves as a supplement, including the use of condoms, oral PrEP, and future vaccines. Diversifying prevention options will help individuals choose methods that suit their needs, while strengthening a more comprehensive HIV prevention system.

The agreement aiming for a Lenacapavir price of $40 per person per year is one of the most important steps in the history of HIV prevention. This is not just a story of easier drug access, but also a symbol of new hope in reducing global HIV infections.

References

• UNAIDS. UNAIDS welcomes the announcement of new agreements to make new-generation HIV prevention drugs available and affordable for those in need. UNAIDS Press Release, September 24, 2025. Accessed at: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2025/september/20250924_hiv-prevention-medicines
• BBC News. Untitled. BBC, date unknown. Accessed at:
  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmzn8802d7o