Researchers have reported that an annual injection of a new drug could shield against HIV for an entire year. The findings, published in The Lancet and presented at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, reveal that a single shot of Lenacapavir effectively prevents HIV from replicating inside cells.
Currently, individuals at high risk of contracting HIV rely on daily oral pills (PrEP) or injections every eight weeks to reduce their chances of infection. While these methods are highly effective, remembering to take a daily pill can be challenging.
Lenacapavir, however, offers a longer-lasting alternative that could provide continuous protection for at least 12 months. If further clinical trials prove successful, this would make Lenacapavir the longest-acting form of HIV prevention available.
In the Phase I trial, researchers tested the drug on 40 HIV-negative participants who received a single intramuscular injection. No major side effects or safety concerns were reported, and after 56 weeks, the drug remained detectable in participants’ bodies, suggesting it could provide year-long protection against HIV. The study’s findings support advancing to larger, more diverse trials to assess the injection’s effectiveness across different populations.
According to UNAIDS, approximately 39.9 million people are currently living with HIV, with 65% residing in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region.
A once-a-year shot could eliminate the daily burden of pill-taking and help drive down new infections worldwide.
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