The big news this year — actually named the “breakthrough of the year” by Science Magazine — is lenacapavir. This six-month injectable has been found by two international studies to provide nearly complete protection against HIV infection; an unprecedented result.
Lenacapavir, an injectable option for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP — a medication taken to prevent HIV before exposure — represents a transformative opportunity to accelerate the fight against HIV/AIDS. If stakeholders unite across sectors, it’s entirely feasible to plan for 5 million people to benefit from a long-acting PrEP option by 2030 — driving the number of new infections dramatically down and setting a powerful precedent for global disease prevention.
Around the world, PrEP uptake has been climbing steadily but remains far from the levels required to curb the HIV epidemic. By the end of 2024, over 8 million people worldwide will have initiated oral PrEP, a significant milestone compared to just a few thousand a decade earlier.
About the authors
Jirair Ratevosian
Dr. Jirair Ratevosian is Hock fellow at Duke University, an associate research scientist at Yale University, and a former acting chief of staff for PEPFAR. He is also a senior associate (nonresident expert) at CSIS Global Health Policy Center.
Mitchell Warren
Mitchell Warren has been AVAC’s executive director since 2004. He previously led Vaccine Preparedness at IAVI; directed international programs at Female Health Company; and directed PSI in South Africa and Europe. Member of PEPFAR Scientific Advisory Board and International AIDS Society Governing Council and president of the TB Alliance Stakeholder Association.
