South Africa to Produce Breakthrough Twice-Yearly HIV Drug

​NAIROBI, Kenya — In a transformative move for public health across the continent, South Africa has secured a preliminary agreement to manufacture a generic version of the revolutionary HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir. The announcement was made Tuesday by Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton during the Franco-African economic summit in Nairobi.

​Developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences, Lenacapavir has been hailed by experts as a “game-changer” in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Unlike traditional antiretroviral therapies that require a daily oral regimen, Lenacapavir is an injectable treatment administered only twice a year.

​Ending the Cycle of Stigma

​Clinical trials have demonstrated that the drug reduces the risk of HIV transmission by an astounding 99.9%. For many, particularly women in sub-Saharan Africa, the shift from daily pills to bi-annual injections offers more than just convenience; it provides a layer of discretion that shields patients from the social stigma often associated with HIV treatment.

​”This is a massive step toward medical sovereignty,” said Duneton. “Regional production in Africa is absolutely essential to ensure that life-saving innovations are accessible to those who need them most, without the supply chain disruptions we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

​The Road to Local Production

​The agreement, facilitated by Unitaid—an international agency dedicated to lowering the cost of health products for low-income countries—will move into its final stages once specific South African laboratories are vetted and selected through an ongoing tender process.

​Key details of the rollout include:

ADVERTISEMENT

• ​Timeline: Unitaid expects full-scale production to begin within 12 to 24 months of laboratory selection.
• ​Affordability: By producing a generic version locally, the cost of the drug is expected to drop significantly, allowing African governments to integrate the treatment into national health schemes.
• ​Sovereignty: The move reduces Africa’s reliance on Western imports, which were heavily restricted during the global vaccine scramble of 2021.

​Strategic Partnership

​The announcement coincided with the Africa Forward Summit, where African leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron have been discussing “sovereign equity” and mutually beneficial investments. The localization of Lenacapavir production serves as a primary example of this new era of partnership, moving away from a model of aid and toward sustainable industrial development within Africa.

​As South Africa prepares its facilities, the global health community looks on with optimism. If successful, the project could serve as a blueprint for the local manufacturing of other critical medicines, securing a healthier and more self-reliant future for the continent.