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Six Resolutions and Resources for Advocates in 2026 

As we look to the year ahead, we start by taking stock of the profound disruptions of 2025 and how the field responded. With immense challenges and historic opportunities ahead, we are making resolutions for the new year and sharing resources to advance our collective work in the months to come.

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.

Lenacapavir Regulatory Approval

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

Global Health Watch: A Year That Reshaped Global Health

The Lancet journal ended the year with a provocative editorial – 2025: an annus horribilis for health in the USA. But sadly, it was not just in the US; it has been a year of chaos and disruption globally. This 49th issue of Global Health Watch looks back—like many news stories this week—across 2025 to highlight the most consequential decisions, disruptions, and debates that defined the year and will continue to shape what comes next.

Global Health Watch: UNAIDS launches review, NIH GoF controversy, support for IDSA’s Jeanne Marrazzo, UK authorizes LEN for PrEP

This week the UNAIDS board approved a new Global AIDS Strategy and launched a formal review of the agency’s future; turmoil at the NIH continues over gain-of-function research; and the scientific community rallies around the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s (IDSA) appointment of Jeanne Marrazzo as its chief executive officer. Also, the UK regulatory agency approved lenacapavir for PrEP (LEN) marking its seventh regulatory approval in just six months.

30 Years of Standing for Science and Equity

This month, AVAC marked our 30th anniversary. Over three decades, the HIV field has evolved dramatically—but what we do, and why we do it, has remained constant: standing for science, equity, and community leadership, and ensuring evidence drives decisions that affect people’s lives. We’ve been able to do this work because of your partnership and support, and we are deeply grateful.

Global Health Watch: NIH turmoil + a high-profile lawsuit, future of UNAIDS, more Countries sign “America First” MoUs with US

This week covers the significant turmoil at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), including a close look at the NIH deputy director’s role in disruptions in leadership and funding cuts, and a lawsuit filed by the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). It also covers urgent civil society pushback against efforts to sunset UNAIDS, the rapid expansion of US “America First” bilateral health agreements across Africa, and what’s next for STI research, prevention and diagnostics.

AVAC Board Member Jeanne Marrazzo named CEO of IDSA 

AVAC enthusiastically applauds the selection of Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, to serve as the new chief executive officer of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

AVAC Board Member Jeanne Marrazzo named CEO of IDSA 

AVAC enthusiastically applauds the selection of Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, to serve as the new chief executive officer of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).