Bhekisisa unpacks three announcements from the International Aids Conference in Rio could mean for the future of HIV prevention in South Africa. Following the announcement that Merck has granted generic licenses for the monthly HIV prevention pill alimatravir before trials are complete, AVAC’s Executive Director Mitchell Warren commented on the news. “We don’t yet know if the medicine will work, so Merck is taking a risk. But, in my opinion, it’s a wise strategic risk,” Warren said.
#Aids2026: Three HIV announcements South Africa made in Rio
Mitchell Warren says 3M lenacapavir goal falls short | AIDS 2026
AVAC’s Executive Director Mitchell Warren argues PEPFAR and the Global Fund’s goal to reach 3 million people with lenacapavir PrEP by 2028 is far too small and too slow. Warren suggests that he funders should be aiming for 5 million people a year within three to five years, in countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, both to blunt new infections and to drive the price of lenacapavir below that of oral PrEP through volume.
Pricing pivotal as HIV drug advances offer ‘choice’
Speaking to SciDev.Net, AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren commented on trial results of long-acting HIV drugs that expand choice in both prevention and treatment. While the results signal significant promise, success depends on pricing, integration, and delivery. “The field needs to move with even greater speed, scale and equity in translating these results into public health impact,” Warren said.
AIDS 2026: Some pieces falling into place for monthly HIV prevention pill, but key data not yet in
In Spotlight, AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren reflects on the announcement that Merck has granted generic licenses for its monthly HIV prevention pill, alimatravir (previously known as MK-8527). “It is particularly exciting to see manufacturers in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda included in these licenses. These are the first generic PrEP licenses in East and Southern Africa, meaning manufacturing can happen where trials are happening, where need is greatest and where we have the largest PrEP markets.”
Nature Briefing
In Nature‘s daily Nature Briefing newsletter, AVAC’s Executive Director Mitchell Warren was highlighted as the quote of the day. “Our greatest scientific opportunity in my 35 years working in the field has been met by the most outrageous political and economic decision imaginable,” Warren said, referring to the promise of lenacapavir that has been threatened by cuts to foreign aid.
AVAC Infographics for AIDS 2026
For those presenting at AIDS 2026, AVAC’s latest infographics on the research and development pipeline, prevention options, and the impact of US funding cuts can be accessed here. We hope these are useful for presentations and discussions at the conference and beyond.
We constantly update these graphics, so check back for updates. The latest version of the deck will be available here.
#Aids2026: We analysed SA’s first LEN roll-out data. Here’s what we found
Bhekisisa analyzed South Africa’s health department’s first six weeks of lenacapavir roll-out data to find out who’s choosing the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, who’s being left behind, and whether the country has enough doses to keep up with demand before generics arrive. “The bigger challenge with a growing LEN programme won’t be supply,” AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren said. “It will be infrastructure. How to ensure South Africa’s health system can support 500,000 people needing an HIV test and an injection every six months. What if it’s a million or more? Will the health system hold?”
Mitchell Warren on weekly islatravir-lenacapavir for HIV treatment | AIDS 2026
At AIDS 2026, researchers reported on results from phase 3 trials of a once-weekly combination of islatravir-lenacapavir for HIV treatment. Mitchell Warren, AVAC Executive Director, spoke to Managed Healthcare Executive about what the shift to less frequent oral dosing could mean for HIV treatment programs operating with shrinking budgets. “If we can move people to weekly oral, and then eventually monthly dosing, or even bi-monthly or every six-month dosing, we may be able to do more with less. We can have more impact, get more people on treatment when the drugs cost less and when they go to the clinic less often,” Warren said.
Merck Secures Early Generic Deals to Fast-Track Monthly HIV Prevention Pill
Merck has announced early licensing agreements for its once-monthly HIV prevention pill, aiming to guarantee access for 129 developing nations.
An HIV vaccine is within reach
The momentum behind developing an HIV vaccine has increased in recent years, but sudden cuts to research and increased political scrutiny have threatened progress. “That’s a perfect storm to prevent us from building on the most exciting science HIV vaccines have had in 45 years,” AVAC’s Executive Director Mitchell Warren tells Vox.