The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended the global rollout of lenacapavir, a newly approved twice-yearly injectable drug for HIV prevention, as part of intensified efforts to curb HIV infections — especially among high-risk populations and in regions where the burden remains high.

The announcement came on Monday, July 15, at the International AIDS Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, just weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lenacapavir for HIV prevention. The drug had previously been authorized in 2022 to treat specific HIV infections.

“This is a strong recommendation with moderate to high certainty of evidence,” said Dr. Meg Doherty, WHO’s director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs. “Lenacapavir offers an important new choice as part of combination prevention.”

In addition to the drug, WHO’s updated guidance includes rapid HIV screening methods, such as self-tests, for individuals starting or continuing long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Lenacapavir, also known as LEN, is a six-monthly injectable that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection. It is considered particularly beneficial for individuals who face challenges with daily pills or frequent clinic visits — such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, youth, and vulnerable populations.

Access and Affordability: A Global Push


Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of lenacapavir, announced a no-profit agreement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to make the drug accessible to up to 2 million people in low- and lower-middle-income countries. While the pricing details remain confidential, Gilead stressed that the cost only covers production and distribution.

In the U.S., lenacapavir carries a list price of $28,218 per year, on par with other PrEP drugs such as Truvada and Apretude.

However, access alone is not enough, WHO warned — global funding is in peril.

HIV Funding Cuts Threaten Lives


A separate report by the United Nations last week raised the alarm over drastic funding cuts to global HIV programs. The U.S. recently withdrew significant foreign aid, including support from PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which had committed over $4.3 billion to more than 50 countries for 2025.

According to Mary Mahy, UNAIDS’s Director of Data for Impact, the collapse of PEPFAR funding could lead to 4 million additional HIV-related deaths and 6 million new infections between 2025 and 2029.

“This is not just a funding gap — it’s a ticking time bomb,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Health services are vanishing, health workers are being sent home, and people — especially children — are falling through the cracks.”

Real-World Impact Already Visible


In countries like Nigeria, the number of people accessing PrEP dropped from 40,000 to fewer than 7,000 in just a few months. In Kenya, medication uptake among HIV-positive mothers to prevent transmission to their babies plummeted by nearly 90%.

Despite the grim outlook, UNAIDS and WHO say the crisis can be reversed — but only with urgent global solidarity.

“Countries are stepping up with domestic funds. Communities are showing what works,” Byanyima emphasized. “What we now need is the world to match that courage and resilience with real investment.”

As WHO calls on governments and global partners to implement and integrate lenacapavir into HIV programs, the message is clear: Scientific progress alone cannot defeat HIV — sustainable funding and political will are essential to win this fight.