Promising HIV Vaccine Faces Hurdles in Reaching Patients Globally
WHO:
Business Insider - Gilead Sciences, Brazilian officials, Dr. Alexandre Padilha (Brazil's health minister), Winnie Byanyima (Executive Director of UNAIDS), Draurio Barreira (head of AIDS and TB at Brazil's health ministry), Beatriz Grinsztejn (president of the International Aids Society), Ailish Brennan (policy analyst at Harm Reduction International).
WHAT:
Business Insider - Lenacapavir is almost 100% effective in preventing HIV infection and requires just two shots a year.
Business Insider - The cost of lenacapavir is $14,000 a dose in the United States, while Gilead has licensed generic versions at around $40 a dose in 120 low- and middle-income countries.
The Guardian - Lenacapavir is 99% effective in preventing sexually transmitted HIV for people who take it consistently.
The Guardian - A mathematical modeling study estimated that widespread availability of lenacapavir could prevent 41% of new HIV infections in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and western Kenya.
The Guardian - USAID cuts have led to a dramatic decline in investment in HIV prevention globally.
WHERE:
Business Insider - The International AIDS Society Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Guardian - Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Argentina are classified as "upper-middle-income countries" by Gilead.
WHEN:
The Guardian - The World Health Organization recommended global investment in lenacapavir for HIV prevention in 2025.
The Guardian - As of July 2026, reports indicate a decline in investment in HIV prevention.
WHY:
Business Insider - Brazil's classification as an "upper-middle-income country" prevents it from qualifying for the reduced price of lenacapavir, despite having conducted clinical trials.
The Guardian - Cuts to USAID funding, which provided 73% of donor-funded resources for HIV prevention globally, are affecting the delivery of new prevention technologies.
HOW:
Business Insider - Gilead is negotiating with regional Latin American governments directly regarding the pricing of lenacapavir.
The Guardian - Organizations are cutting outreach services due to funding cuts, impacting their ability to reach high-risk populations.
(UPDATED August 1, 2026 01:30 UTC)
At the International AIDS Society Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, experts highlighted that lenacapavir is nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV infection, requiring just two shots a year, although it costs $14,000 per dose in the U.S. Gilead has licensed generic versions for around $40 in 120 low- and middle-income countries, but Brazil's classification as an "upper-middle-income country" prevents it from accessing this reduced price, despite its involvement in clinical trials. Meanwhile, cuts to USAID funding, which historically provided a significant portion of global resources for HIV prevention, are leading to a decline in investment and outreach services, affecting the delivery of new prevention technologies.