The Current This new drug could be a game-changer for HIV/AIDS
Dec 5, 2025
Dr. Darrell Tan, an infectious disease physician and Canadian HIV prevention leader, discusses the groundbreaking drug lenacapavir, which promises a revolutionary six-month injectable option for HIV prevention. He emphasizes the need for Canadian doctors to advocate for equitable access to this treatment. Dr. Catherine Martin, a senior researcher from Johannesburg, highlights the critical real-world testing of lenacapavir in southern Africa, particularly for young women, and addresses the challenges of implementation, including cost and regulatory hurdles.
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Long‑Acting Mechanism Delivers Lasting Protection
- Lenacapavir is a long-acting capsid inhibitor that prevents HIV by blocking multiple steps of the virus life cycle.
- It can be given as a subcutaneous injection and may protect people for six months or longer with high efficacy.
Standing Ovation At Conference
- Darrell Tan described standing and giving a standing ovation when lenacapavir trial results were presented.
- The reaction reflected how rare and exciting such breakthrough prevention data are in HIV research.
Prepare Systems Before Approval
- Prepare health systems now for different delivery needs, including clinic processes for injections and follow-up.
- Plan messaging, clinician training, and access strategies before Health Canada finalizes approval.