A Shot Every Six Months: The HIV Prevention Breakthrough That Could Change Everything

On June 18, 2025, the FDA approved something revolutionary: a twice-a-year injection to prevent HIV.

Its name is lenacapavir, a long-acting medication that could reshape the global fight against HIV, one of the world’s most persistent pandemics.

Approved under the brand name Yeztugo, lenacapavir is the first and only pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option that requires just two doses per year. For millions of people who struggle with the demands of taking a pill every day due to stigma, forgetfulness, or limited access to healthcare, this innovation offers more than convenience. It offers new hope.

What Makes Lenacapavir Different?

Lenacapavir works in a completely different way compared to other PrEP medications currently available. It is the first medication in its class, known as a capsid inhibitor. This means it targets the protective shell of the HIV virus, a structure that is essential for the virus to replicate and spread.

By interfering with multiple steps in the HIV lifecycle, lenacapavir prevents the virus from establishing an infection. Its long-acting nature means just two injections per year can provide continuous protection.

A new HIV prevention injection ready for administration.

The Data Behind the Hype

The effectiveness of lenacapavir was demonstrated in two major clinical trials known as PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2.

In PURPOSE 1, women in sub-Saharan Africa received the injection and none of them contracted HIV during the study period. This represents 100 percent efficacy in that group.

In PURPOSE 2, the drug was tested among men who have sex with men and transgender women in the United States and Latin America. The study showed that lenacapavir reduced HIV acquisition by more than 96 percent.

These results are not only impressive but also highlight the potential for lenacapavir to dramatically reduce new HIV infections in populations that often face barriers to daily pill adherence.

 

Why This Innovation Matters

Daily oral PrEP options like Truvada and Descovy are highly effective when taken consistently. However, in real-world conditions, many people struggle to maintain daily adherence due to social stigma, inconsistent access to medication, or simply forgetting.

Lenacapavir offers a discreet and manageable solution. It can benefit young people, women in high-burden regions, and anyone who prefers a long-acting alternative to daily medication. It represents a shift toward HIV prevention methods that fit into people’s lives more easily and naturally.

 

Access Remains a Key Concern

Despite its medical promise, lenacapavir’s accessibility is a major issue.

In the United States, Yeztugo is priced at approximately $28,000 per year. Many healthcare advocates are concerned that the cost could limit access for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Globally, the need for equitable access is even more urgent. Low- and middle-income countries bear a large portion of the HIV burden. Gilead, the company behind lenacapavir, has announced plans to make the drug available through generic licensing in over 90 countries. However, how quickly and widely this access will be implemented remains uncertain.

Beyond Prevention: A Role in Treatment

Lenacapavir is not only a preventive medication. It has also been approved under the name Sunlenca for people living with HIV who have developed resistance to multiple other treatments.

In these cases, lenacapavir is combined with other antiretroviral drugs and administered every six months. Researchers are also exploring the possibility of creating a once-a-year formulation, which could make HIV care even more streamlined and effective in the future.

Final Word

Lenacapavir is not just a scientific breakthrough. It is a bold step toward simplifying HIV prevention and treatment. With only two injections per year, it provides powerful protection in a way that aligns with the realities of people’s daily lives.

But the true power of medical innovation lies in who can access it. If made widely available, lenacapavir could become a cornerstone in ending new HIV infections.

Until then, one thing is clear: the era of long-acting HIV prevention has officially begun.