The deals represent a massive price reduction from USD 28 000 to just USD 40 per person per year for medicine that is almost 100% effective in preventing HIV.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 24 September 2025—UNAIDS strongly welcomes the announcement of two new agreements to advance progress in stopping new HIV infections. UNAIDS estimates show that 1.3 million people were infected with HIV in 2024 far higher than the target of 370,000 by 2025. Lenacapavir, produced by US company Gilead, is a revolutionary new medicine that prevents HIV infection with injections just twice a year.

The current price of lenacapavir for HIV treatment in the US is USD 28 000 per person per year. These new agreements, crafted with generic producers, would bring the price for HIV prevention down to just USD 40 per person per year.

“This is a watershed moment. A price of USD 40 per person per year is a leap forward that will help to unlock the revolutionary potential of long-acting HIV medicines,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

The agreements were announced today during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI are providing financial, technical, and regulatory support to Indian generic manufacturer Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, enabling the annual cost of injections to come to just USD 40. An initial oral dose required alongside the first injections will cost no more than USD 17 under the agreement.

The Gates Foundation will support Indian generic manufacturer Hetero Drugs with upfront funding and volume guarantees to ensure a cost of around USD 40 per patient per year following the short pre-treatment oral regimen.

The new long-acting medicines will make preventing HIV easier and more accessible for people most in need. Lenacapavir will add to the suite of HIV prevention options currently available including condoms, vaginal rings and daily prevention pills.

PURPOSE 2 Trial results published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that lenacapavir was between 96% and100% effective in preventing new HIV infections.

Research published in The Lancet HIV earlier this year, experts estimated that, if purchased at scale, the cost of generic lenacapavir could range from USD 35 to USD 46 per person-year. Falling to USD 25 with high demand, making the medicine affordable even for low-income countries.

UNAIDS has been advocating for the long-acting medicines to be affordable and available for people in most need since the studies were concluded. UNAIDS estimates that if 20 million people in highest need, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs and young women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa have access, this could dramatically reduce new infections and significantly advance progress in ending AIDS by 2030.

“UNITAID, Gates, CHAI, Witts RHI, Reddy, and Hetero have shown today what is possible when companies prioritize equitable access to lifesaving medicines. Gilead now needs to match that ambition by reducing its price for lenacapavir, being completely transparent on cost and pricing, expanding its generics license to include all low and middle-income countries, and allowing more people in developing countries to rapidly access these life-saving medicines,” said Ms Byanyima.

Note: The agreement falls under Gilead’s voluntary license enabling six generic manufacturers to produce lenacapavir for use in 120 primarily low and lower-middle-income countries.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Delivering to end AIDS by 2030 and sustain the HIV response beyond—UNAIDS’ transition within the UN80 vision  

GENEVA, 19 September 2025—The United Nations Secretary-General has put forward UN reform proposals in his new UN80 progress report, Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver, which UNAIDS plans to discuss with its board and stakeholders. As underscored by the Secretary-General, it is with member states and governing bodies to determine the way forward on how UN80 reforms are implemented.   

UNAIDS has been working within the Secretary-General’s UN80 vision, and consulted with the UN80 team, as it developed transformation plans. UNAIDS has been advancing on its transition path and is proud to help lead the way as the UN system reforms.

A new operating model, and a transition path that consists of two phases, has been developed through a broad and inclusive consultation process, and approved by the UNAIDS Board in June 2025. It was informed by the recommendations of the High-Level Panel on a resilient and fit-for-purpose UNAIDS Joint Programme, which was composed of diverse member states, civil society and other stakeholders. In July 2025, ECOSOC took note of the new operating model and proposed transformation process.   

This new operating model aligns with the UN80 vision for a more integrated, coherent, and impactful UN development system. It is a two-phase transformation—one now being implemented, and the second phase starting in 2027 leading to fuller integration in the UN system.    

The first phase of transformation includes a 55% reduction in UNAIDS Secretariat staffing (from 661 to 294 staff). UNAIDS’ country presence is being consolidated from 85 to 54 countries, with a lighter footprint in 40 countries. This deployment supports countries where 80% of people living with HIV reside and where 71% of new infections occur. UNAIDS Senior Coordinators are planned to be embedded in 21 UN Resident Coordinator offices (40% of UNAIDS country coverage), and programmatic expertise is being relocated to regional hubs in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Bangkok. UNAIDS’ Geneva presence is being reduced by over 80%.   

In the second phase, per the UNAIDS Board’s decision, the Joint Programme will present to its Board a plan for its consideration in June 2027 to further transform, consolidate and integrate with a view to eventually closing down the UNAIDS Secretariat in its current form. This will include greater mergers and consolidations with Cosponsors and transfer of some functions to countries and other entities such as Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on the Board decisions, the scheduled ECOSOC resolution on the Joint Programme in 2027 will review the UNAIDS mandate.  

UNAIDS’ priority is to support inclusive, multisectoral, and sustainable national HIV responses, led by governments and communities, and increasingly funded by domestic resources. AIDS is not over; the global AIDS response has been upended in recent months and much more needs to be done to achieve the SDG target of ending AIDS by 2030.   

In 2025 and 2026, in parallel with the implementation of its new operating model, UNAIDS is focused on delivering an ambitious new Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and getting member states’ consensus on 2030 HIV targets through the High-Level Meeting on HIV in June 2026. UNAIDS has a commitment to ensure that new HIV prevention innovations – capable of decisively changing the trajectory of new infections – are made available, and the more than 40 million people living with HIV have continued uninterrupted access to treatment and remain virally suppressed.  

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

In advance of the UN General Assembly High-Level Meetings, a group of experts co-chaired by Nobel prize winning economist Joe Stiglitz, former First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos, and Director of the Institute of Health Equity Sir Michael Marmot met to review how inequality gaps within and between countries are impacting global health security. Economists, public health experts, and current and former government leaders from around the world took part in the meeting of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics.

The Council convened in New York at a time of growing concern that governance, economic, and social crises are undermining the world’s capacity to respond to current and future disease outbreaks. Council members will meet with world leaders gathered this week at the UNGA. 

A synthesis of the findings gathered over two years by the Council will be published in November ahead of the G20. It will cover issues including the debt crisis, social determinants, access to pandemic products, and the struggling role of community organizations in the current global environment. 

“Deepening inequalities are dangerous,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, who convened the Council. “When we set up this Council two years ago, it was with a clear vision: to collect the evidence, advocate for the policies, and secure the action needed to address the inequalities that make disease outbreaks more frequent, that accelerate the spread of disease and that intensify and prolong the impacts of pandemics.” 

“When global rules leave some countries unable to protect their populations from current or future pandemics, that does not only endanger people in those countries, it endangers people in all countries,” said Joe Stiglitz. 

“The need to tackle inequalities worldwide is not only a moral responsibility. It is essential for ensuring a safe and secure world. Tackling inequality, protecting everyone’s rights, is in everyone’s interests,” said Monica Geingos. 

“None of the inequalities that threaten public health are immutable. They can all be tackled through proven policies and investments. Inequalities can be overcome if leaders follow the evidence,” said Michael Marmot. 

Find out more about the work of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics at https://www.inequalitycouncil.org

GENEVA, 22 September 2025—Prominent global HIV advocates are joining forces in a new short film to call on governments and donors to sustain life-saving investments to end AIDS. They warn that hard-won progress against HIV is at risk of being reversed due to sudden and drastic funding cuts by donors.

The impact of the funding cuts is already being felt in countries with high burdens of HIV, including Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa, which are now facing shortages of community health workers and data collectors. UNAIDS has warned that if funding is not fully restored, as many as 6 million people could become newly infected with HIV and 4 million people could die from AIDS-related deaths between 2025 and 2029.

The film will premiere at the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September, showing world leaders the devastating impact of recent funding cuts and urging them to recommit to ending AIDS by 2030.

Produced by acclaimed Hollywood writer and producer Ron Nyswaner, the film features high-profile advocates in the global fight against HIV, including Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Charlize Theron, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and actress Thuso Mbedu. Together they highlight the need for global solidarity and sustained support to end AIDS. It also includes Fabian Quezada, a Mexican-born HIV activist and Andiswa Cindi, a 22-year-old South African social media influencer who uses Tiktok to create awareness about HIV.

“The global HIV response has saved millions of lives for over two decades, bringing countries together in international solidarity to end the AIDS crisis,” said Mr. Nyswaner. “We hope the film captures that success while serving as a call to action for continued funding for this essential work.”

Mr Nyswaner’s deep connection to HIV was demonstrated in the 1993 film Philadelphia, that earned Tom Hanks an Oscar for his portrayal of a young lawyer fighting HIV discrimination. Mr Nyswaner continued this work in the acclaimed 2023 television series, Fellow Travelers, that brought the story of the AIDS crisis to a new generation.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who features prominently in the film, has long championed global efforts to end AIDS, supporting initiatives in countries including Botswana and Lesotho. "Right now, babies are being born with HIV due to interruptions in antiretroviral treatment for their mothers. Without urgent action to reverse these crippling funding cuts, 6 million more people will become infected with HIV while 4 million will die from AIDS-related causes within the next four years,” he said. “It is not just the at-risk communities that will be affected. We've proven that sustained investment saves lives and builds stronger communities. Abandoning this life-saving work now would be a devastating betrayal of progress for the millions who depend on these essential services."

Academy Award-winning actress and philanthropist Charlize Theron and HIV advocate and basketball legend and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises Earvin “Magic” Johnson are not new to global HIV campaigns. Ms Theron is a longstanding leader in advocating for young people and tackling the systemic inequalities that drive HIV infections among young women and girls through founding the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), while Mr Johnson has lived openly with HIV for many years, helping to fight the stigma against the disease.

The film also highlights recent scientific innovations which could save lives, alluding to the groundbreaking new medicine lenacapavir, which is almost 100% effective in preventing HIV with injections just twice a year which could be a game-changer in stopping new HIV infections if it is made available and affordable to all in need.

"The end of AIDS is not a distant dream—it is within our grasp, built on decades of relentless activism, advocacy, and shared commitment. From groundbreaking treatments to global solidarity, we’ve built a path to epidemic control,” said Ms Theron. “And now, as world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly, we have the power to finish what we’ve started. The time to end AIDS is now, and we must have the courage to see it through."

South African Hollywood actress, Thuso Mbedu, has been working with UNAIDS, encouraging world leaders to embrace human rights in the global HIV response and working with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to shine a light on critical lifesaving HIV work. “Ending AIDS requires collective action and support of humanity to ensure that no one who needs the lifesaving antiretroviral treatment in Uganda or Mozambique is left behind, she said. “World leaders must continue to invest in the global HIV response to save lives.”

The global HIV response has been transformative. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa the roll out of medicine to treat HIV, among other advances, has led to a rebound in life expectancy from 56.5 years in 2010 to 62.3 years in 2024. New HIV infections have been brought down by 40%, while AIDS-related deaths decreased by 56% since 2010.

The film highlights that no single country can end AIDS alone, and that the world must stand together in global solidarity to end AIDS.

Please click here to donate to UNAIDS.

For broadcasters: Please click here to download the film (Courtesy of UNAIDS and Ron Nyswaner)

NOTE TO EDITORS: The film was made possible through the generous contributions of Mr. Nyswaner and the film colleagues he brought on board, including cinematographer Jonathon Narducci, Otto Senault, Frits De Jong and editor Eric Martin, and Johannesburg-based agency Lobengula Advertising contributing their valuable time and resources to bring it to life. Paul Leonard Morgan kindly donated the soundtrack Touch of Sanity to the film. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and the Archewell Foundation and Thuso Mbedu generously gave their time while Charlize Theron and Magic “Earvin” Johnson contributed to the success of the film, both personally and through their foundations The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) and the Magic Johnson Foundation respectively. The film is a product of collaboration that transcends different countries, including both filming and production, in South Africa, United States of America and the United Kingdom.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.