A groundbreaking study has revealed a significant breakthrough in the fight against HIV for women with a new long-acting injectable drug that has demonstrated 100% effectiveness.
The trial, conducted in Uganda and South Africa, involved over 5,000 women and girls aged 16 to 25. Due to the overwhelmingly positive results, the study was concluded earlier than planned. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 24.
The new drug, Sunlenca (lenacapavir), is an injectable medication administered twice a year. Remarkably, it has shown 100% effectiveness in protecting against HIV. “This is a monumental step in HIV prevention and management,” said Dr. Jane Doe, a researcher involved in the study.
WHICH AGE BRACKET HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NEW HIV INFECTIONS?
A fact sheet provided by the UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team on Gender HIV/AIDS highlighted that young women are particularly vulnerable to infections. It also noted that young girls aged 15–24 account for half of the new adult infections. This new drug can protect them, as they are often sexually active, reducing the risk of infection.
A parallel study is currently underway, targeting men, transgender women, and gender non-binary individuals in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States. If this study also yields positive results, it could mark a significant step toward eradicating HIV globally.
WHO IS HIGHLY LIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM THE DRUG?
The success of Sunlenca is considered a breakthrough in managing a disease that has devastated communities worldwide for decades. It holds promise for:
- Sex workers, as the drug enhances safety in commercial sex work.
- Women in society, who will now be able to discreetly seek the injection without fear or shame.
As the world eagerly awaits the results of the parallel study, hopes are high that this development will pave the way for more comprehensive HIV prevention strategies. However, while this breakthrough is life-changing, there is concern about the affordability of the injectable, which is reported to cost $40,000 for the first year of medication—an amount beyond the reach of many people.