Great news in the fight against HIV! On 9 July 2025, the Global Fund announced a historic agreement with Gilead Sciences to ensure access to lenacapavir — a long-acting injectable for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) — in low- and middle-income countries.
This is a true breakthrough: for the first time ever, an innovative HIV prevention product will be introduced simultaneously in both high-income and developing countries! The Global Fund aims to reach at least 2 million people with long-acting PrEP. The first deliveries are expected by the end of 2025.
Why is lenacapavir important?
Lenacapavir, which is administered only twice a year, can be a game-changing solution! It offers a convenient alternative to daily oral pills, supporting those who struggle with adherence, face access barriers, or experience stigma.
What does this mean for Ukraine and the EECA region?
Although the current agreement focuses on countries with a high burden of new HIV infections, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region is not yet included in the Global Fund’s early access rollout.
To ensure that Ukraine and other EECA countries can benefit from this global mechanism, coordinated action is urgently needed. Governments, civil society, technical partners, and donors must come together.
Nadiia Yahol, PrEP program manager of the regional iSoS project, emphasizes:
“Lenacapavir could be the next step in expanding prevention choices and reducing barriers for key populations. But targeted advocacy is essential to include EECA countries in early access plans and to ensure they can benefit from emerging global opportunities. Ukraine is ready to share its experience and be a partner in scaling up innovative HIV prevention approaches.”
Ukraine already has successful experience implementing PrEP, including long-acting cabotegravir.