Lenacapavir: A Revolution in HIV Prevention for $40/Year

Injectable lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention method, will be available for just US$40 per year in low- and middle-income countries starting in 2027.

This became possible thanks to a new partnership announced on September 24, 2025, between Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI.

Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is a twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention. This long-acting drug has shown exceptional effectiveness and, according to experts, may transform the global HIV prevention landscape.

Both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved lenacapavir in record time. In July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) also released guidelines recommending it as a twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention.

Back in October 2024, Gilead granted voluntary licenses to six pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and supply generic lenacapavir to 120 low- and middle-income countries. This includes all middle-income countries in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

With this new agreement, the cost of injectable lenacapavir will be reduced to the level of oral PrEP. Dr. Reddy’s is expected to launch supplies of affordable, high-quality generics by 2027. In parallel, the Gates Foundation signed a separate deal with another licensed manufacturer, Hetero Labs.

ECOM’s Executive Director Vitaly Djuma said:

“ECOM welcomes this step toward making lenacapavir accessible for countries and communities. The HIV epidemic among MSM continues to grow in EECA while donor funding is declining, so it’s crucial that our region prepares thoroughly and makes full use of this opportunity.”

ECOM Health Coordinator Nikolay Lunchenkov added:

“Injectable lenacapavir can be a real game-changer in HIV prevention. But the revolution will only happen if countries go beyond procurement and ensure true accessibility for people in their communities. ECOM is ready to support countries in the region so that this innovation becomes not an exclusive option, but an everyday reality for everyone who needs it.”