South Africa has launched its first-ever human HIV vaccine trial. It is a landmark for a country that remains the global epicentre of HIV. The long-term ambition is clear. Scientists want a safe, affordable vaccine given in the first year of life, with no need for repeat doses. The trial, known as BRILLIANT 011, is a first-in-human study. It has…
Tag: lenacapavir
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2026 Healthcare Watchlist: Nine Healthcare Stories to Track
Twenty-twenty-six is shaping up as a year of sharp policy fights, fast-moving science, and stubborn system failures. Spotlight’s 2026 Healthcare Watchlist will track nine stories that could shift budgets, reshape services, and test public trust. A limited rollout of a new HIV prevention injection could be a turning point for prevention options. Weight-loss medicines are evolving rapidly, with new oral…
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HIV Prevention in SA Needs Local Lenacapavir Manufacturing
South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its long battle against HIV. While the country has made remarkable strides since the mass rollout of antiretrovirals, boosting rural life expectancy by over 10 years, a new medical innovation could accelerate progress even further. Experts warn that unless stakeholders prioritise local manufacturing, the drug’s full potential for HIV prevention may remain…
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Generic Lenacapavir Manufacturing: SA’s Bold 2027 Strategy
The South African government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to secure the future of HIV prevention. By 2027, the state intends to facilitate generic Lenacapavir manufacturing within its borders. This move aims to address a critical supply deficit of the game-changing, twice-yearly injectable. Lenacapavir (LEN) is a potent pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) agent. It was registered in South Africa in October…
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Lenacapavir in Short Supply Amid HIV Epidemic in Africa
International health activists and civil society organisations have launched a scathing critique of pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences and the US government. They say that Lenacapavir is in short supply and woefully inadequate to slow Africa’s epidemic. The backlash follows a joint announcement earlier this week by the US government and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria regarding…
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HIV Funding Boost Revealed by Health Minister Motsoaledi
South Africa’s vital HIV/AIDS programmes have received a crucial R2 billion lifeline from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The HIV funding boost will be disbursed over the next six months. It will sustain existing services and prevent the collapse of critical health initiatives nationwide. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi made the significant announcement during a…
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African Philanthropists Must Drive Change in Public Health
The head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has issued a powerful call to action for African philanthropists. He urges them to direct their resources towards health initiatives. These efforts could save millions of lives and transform the continent’s future. Speaking from the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin, Executive Director Peter Sands made…
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Generic HIV Prevention Drug to Cost Just $40 Annually from 2027
In a monumental step forward for global public health, Indian pharmaceutical companies Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Hetero Labs have announced they will produce and sell generic versions of a revolutionary HIV prevention drug. It will be available for around $40 per year. Availability is expected from 2027. The drug, lenacapavir, is a long-acting injectable developed by Gilead Sciences. It has…
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HIV Prevention Injection Changes the Game in Treatment
South Africa will introduce a new lenacapavir injection. This twice-yearly shot is for HIV prevention. It will be in select public clinics by April 2026. This marks a big step forward for the nation. It offers a great alternative to daily pills. However, another injectable, cabotegravir, is stalled. It had a four-year head start. The availability of a new HIV…
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HIV Prevention Injection Changes the Game in Treatment
South Africa will introduce a groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir, in select public clinics by April 2026. This move marks a significant step forward in the nation’s fight against HIV, offering a highly effective and convenient alternative to daily pills. However, this progress comes as another long-acting injectable, cabotegravir (CAB-LA), remains stalled despite having a four-year head start. The…
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Sakeliga’s NHI Legal Battle for Constiutional Justice
Sakeliga’s NHI Legal Battle has garnered attention. The business lobby group Sakeliga has become the latest organisation to mount a legal challenge against South Africa’s contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. They filed papers at the Pretoria High Court to have it declared unconstitutional and invalid. The focus of Sakeliga’s NHI Legal Battle is to highlight the impracticalities and financial…