Africa: Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir Continues to Show Strong HIV Prevention Results

What the report says

AllAfrica reported on July 24, 2026, that updated clinical-trial data continue to show strong HIV-prevention results for lenacapavir, an injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis given twice a year. The findings, presented at the AIDS 2026 conference, came from the PURPOSE-1 and PURPOSE-2 studies and were described by researchers as supporting faster, fairer access to the drug.

PURPOSE-1 enrolled cisgender women in South Africa and Uganda. After an earlier blinded phase, more than 95% of participants accepted lenacapavir in an open-label extension. Dr Noah Kiwanuka of Makerere University School of Public Health said researchers found no new HIV infections in the first 52 weeks of that extension among those who stayed on lenacapavir or switched from oral PrEP. The report said adherence to scheduled injections remained high and no new safety concerns were identified.

PURPOSE-2 studied cisgender men and gender-diverse participants in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand and the United States. Researchers reported one new HIV acquisition among participants receiving lenacapavir during the first year of the open-label extension, while none were recorded among those who switched from daily oral PrEP. Dr Marcelo Losso said the safety and tolerability profile remained favorable during follow-up.

The results matter because long-acting PrEP could help people who face barriers to taking daily pills. AllAfrica also reported that South Africa’s National Aids Council has asked local drugmakers to apply to produce generic lenacapavir, with a shortlist expected to be sent to Gilead Sciences, the original producer, by July.