HIV continues to affect millions of people across Africa — especially young people, women, and key populations. But a new scientific development is offering renewed hope in the fight against the virus.
South Africa has made history — becoming the first African nation to register Lenacapavir, a revolutionary twice-yearly injectable drug for HIV prevention.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, had previously been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its registration in South Africa marks a significant step forward in expanding access to innovative HIV prevention methods across the continent.
How Does Lenacapavir Work?
Lenacapavir (LEN) belongs to a class of medicines known as antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).
HIV attacks and takes over a type of immune cell called a CD4 cell, inserting its genetic material and forcing the cell to produce copies of the virus instead of protecting the body.
LEN works differently from most existing ARVs. It is a capsid inhibitor — targeting the protective shell (capsid) surrounding HIV’s genetic material. By disrupting this shell, Lenacapavir blocks the virus from entering CD4 cells and replicating, effectively stopping HIV in its tracks.
Because it is a twice-yearly injectable, Lenacapavir offers a long-acting, low-maintenance option for HIV prevention — particularly valuable for people who face challenges adhering to daily pills.
A Call to Action
This scientific breakthrough brings renewed hope in the fight against HIV, but hope alone is not enough.
To fully realize Lenacapavir’s potential, production must be scaled up and the drug made accessible and affordable across Africa.
Currently, limited supply and high prices threaten to restrict access for those who need it most.
At the same time, global funding cuts to HIV programs have placed the global response under severe strain. Ensuring the rapid, equitable, and affordable rollout of Lenacapavir could accelerate progress toward reducing new HIV infections, saving millions of lives in the years to come.
“In addition to viral suppression among people living with HIV, ensuring broad, rapid and affordable dissemination of this new health technology would hasten the decline of new HIV infection rates and limit the scope of the pandemic — essential, especially in a moment of constrained resources.”
— UNAIDS
Keep the Momentum: Prevention, Awareness, and Equality
While Lenacapavir offers new promise, the fight against HIV is not over.
As a nation, we must continue investing in primary HIV prevention — through awareness creation, testing, counseling, and community education.
We must also tackle the stigma and discrimination that continue to isolate and harm people living with the virus. Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to prevention, care, and treatment.
Say NO to stigma. Say NO to discrimination
You can read more through the link below.
SA becomes first African country to register twice-a-year anti-HIV jab… at record speed