A new drug to prevent HIV infection is showing hugely promising results in clinical trials when injected every six months.

In this episode, we speak to South African HIV doctor and scientist Linda-Gail Bekker at the University of Cape Town about her involvement in one of the trials for lenacapavir and why she thinks it could be so ground-breaking. 

This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and sound design was by Michelle Macklem. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.

If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, which is an independent, not-for-profit news organisation. And please do rate and review the show wherever you listen.

Further reading:

• HIV breakthrough: drug trial shows injection twice a year is 100% effective against infection
• The HIV epidemic 40 years on: 5 essential reads on breakthroughs, blind spots and new challenges
• HIV prevention: new injection could boost the fight, but some hurdles remain