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One Year Later #4: The Cruel Irony of Lenacapavir for PrEP

In the fourth installment of our ‘One Year Later’ series we focus on lenacapavir and how science is breaking through formidable barriers in understanding HIV and how to prevent it, just as the infrastructure for delivering groundbreaking technology is defunded and destabilized.

EXPrESSIVE Phase 3 Trials Countries of MK-8527

Seventeen countries are hosting sites for the Phase 3 efficacy trials of a monthly PrEP pill, MK-8527, being developed by Merck (also known as MSD outside of the US and Canada). Merck announced the launch of the Phase 3 trials at IAS 2025 in Kigali. MK-8527 was found to be safe and well-tolerated in Phase 2 clinical trials.

Source of Lenacapavir for PrEP Supply to Early Adopter Countries

The Global Fund, with support from CIFF, and PEPFAR have jointly committed to reaching up to two million people with injectable lenacapavir for PrEP over three years. Supply of LEN began arriving in countries in late 2025 with service delivery planned to start in early 2026.

An “Innovation Pile-Up” in Next-Generation LA-PrEP is Possible

The HIV prevention market is headed toward a period of significant opportunity—and possible congestion—as a slate of new products are on track for continued development and potential introduction to the market in 2027 and 2028. Markets and policies must be built to support the products in the market already, so that new options can be rapidly deployed and deliver impact. Otherwise, the field will squander time and money, with epidemic control slipping further out of reach.

Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Regulatory Approval

Regulatory approvals, pending decisions, and appeals as of January 2026.

One Year Later #3: The Undermining of the US Research Enterprise

This third installment of our ‘One Year Later’ series examines this administration’s sustained assault on the research enterprise. What has unfolded is a 365-day cascade of policy, programmatic and, financial actions that threaten US leadership and the scientific ecosystem responsible for lifesaving breakthroughs.

One Year Later

One Year Later #2: An Assault on Vaccine Science and Policy, and the Stakes for Global Health

The second piece in AVAC’s ‘One Year Later’ series is out. From cuts to HIV vaccine research to attacks on ACIP and Gavi, we break down how ideology is undermining evidence and why global health depends on defending science.

One Year Later #1: The Foreign Aid Freeze & Abuse of Executive Power

AVAC’s ‘One Year Later’ series reflects on the tumultuous events of the past 365 days across five global health issues. First up: how the foreign aid freeze and abuse of executive power are costing lives.

Global Health Watch: Health Policy Decisions Reversed, FY26 US Global Health Funding, America First MoUs Scrutinized & LEN for PrEP Advances

The US foreign assistance budget, if enacted, would restore some global health funds in a broader context of uncertainty, as US bilateral “America First” health MoUs advance without transparent plans for implementation or accountability. At the same time, abrupt reversals by the US Department of Health and Human Services of troubling health policy decisions underscore the Administration’s instability. Meanwhile, momentum around lenacapavir continues, recently approved by Brazil and with additional funding from Unitaid to reach more populations in South Africa and Zambia.