By The Inspirer.

Kigali, September 25, 2025 – Rwanda has welcomed news that a breakthrough HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, will soon be available at a much lower cost in more than 120 low- and middle-income countries.

Under a new deal announced this week, Gilead Sciences—the drug’s manufacturer—together with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and South Africa’s Wits RHI research institute, agreed to offer the long-acting injectable for $40 per person per year.

The drug currently costs about $28,000 annually, but a generic version is expected on the market by 2027, pending regulatory approval.

Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana described the development as a major breakthrough, saying lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection shown to be nearly 100 percent protective, will now be within reach for many countries that need it most.

Experts believe the new option could transform HIV prevention, especially for young people and underserved groups who face difficulties with daily medication and frequent clinic visits.

Lenacapavir is administered twice a year, each dose providing six months of protection. It works by blocking the virus from replicating inside human cells.

The drug was endorsed by the World Health Organization in July and has also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission.

Clinical trials have delivered strong results. A 2024 study reported a 100 percent success rate in preventing HIV during the trial period. Generic versions are expected within 18 months, increasing affordability and access in countries with high infection rates and limited resources.

Currently, the main prevention method is daily oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which also costs about $40 a year but requires strict daily use. Many communities struggle with adherence due to stigma and access barriers. According to the Gates Foundation, only 18 percent of people who could benefit from PrEP are currently using it. Lenacapavir’s longer-lasting protection could help overcome these challenges.

A modelling study suggests that if just 4 percent of at-risk populations access lenacapavir, it could prevent up to 20 percent of new infections.

UNAIDS estimates more than 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV. In 2024 alone, there were 1.3 million new infections and over 600,000 deaths from AIDS-related illnesses.

At the 13th International AIDS Society Conference in Kigali this July, Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed Rwanda is planning to integrate lenacapavir into its HIV prevention program. He said the country is working on incorporating long-acting injectable treatment into its national HIV care guidelines, with implementation expected soon.

Rwanda has already made significant progress in the fight against HIV, reducing new infections by 82 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 86 percent, achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets well ahead of the 2030 global deadline.