New publications
Study shows that twice-yearly injections offer complete protection against HIV in women
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Two shots of a new HIV drug a year protect young women in Africa from the sexually transmitted infection, new clinical trial results show.
Gilead Sciences Inc. announced that its HIV drug lenacopavir was 100% effective in preventing the disease.
This is the first round of data from Gilead's PURPOSE program, which includes five HIV prevention trials around the world.
"With zero infections and 100% efficacy, lenacopavir administered twice a year has demonstrated its potential as an important tool for preventing HIV infections," Gilead's chief medical officer, Dr. Merdad Parsi, said in a press release.
"We look forward to additional results from the ongoing PURPOSE clinical trial program and continue to strive toward our goal of helping end the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere."
Description of the study
A randomised controlled trial of lenacopavir in Uganda and South Africa tested whether two injections of lenacopavir a year would provide better protection against HIV infection than two other daily pills widely used in high-income countries.
The results with lenacopavir were so compelling that the trial was stopped early after an independent data review committee recommended offering the shot to all participants because it clearly provided better protection against the virus, Gilead said.
None of the 2,134 women who received lenacopavir became infected with HIV, while 16 of 1,068 women who took Truvada, a daily pill available for more than a decade, and 39 of 2,136 women who took a newer daily pill called Descovy became infected.
Community Reaction
"For a young woman who can't get to a clinic in the city, or a woman who can't keep the pills without risking stigma or violence, a twice-yearly injection is an option that can keep her HIV-free," Lillian Mworeko, who leads the group International Community of Women Living with HIV in East Africa, told The Times.
However, Gilead’s data have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. A second trial, underway in six other countries, is testing lenacopavir in men who have sex with men, transgender people and people who inject drugs, the company says. An interim review of those results will take place later this year.
Availability and cost
While Truvada has been widely used by gay men in the United States and other high-income countries for years, it has not been as effective in Africa, where its use has been low, particularly among vulnerable young African women, The Times reports.
The hope is that a twice-yearly shot, which is much more convenient than taking daily pills, will become a more powerful prevention tool in the country.
There remains the question of access: Gilead charges $42,250 for lenacopavir treatment per patient per year in the United States, The Times reports.
However, Gilead has committed to quickly making large quantities of the drug available "at prices that will make it widely available" in low-income countries with high HIV prevalence.