Would homegrown LEN cost more? Why SA should still make the HIV prevention jab
South Africa is exploring the feasibility of locally manufacturing the HIV prevention injection lenacapavir. The initiative aims to improve access and build domestic pharmaceutical capacity, though it faces significant challenges regarding cost, technology transfer, and competition from future generic imports.
Why it matters
Local production could significantly lower costs and increase accessibility for life-saving HIV prevention in Africa, serving as a test case for regional pharmaceutical self-sufficiency.
South Africa wants to make the six-monthly HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir (LEN), on home soil. The question is whether we can do it quickly enough — and cheaply enough — for local manufacturing to help get the jab to more people.
LEN is near-perfect at preventing HIV for six months at a time.
That makes lenacapavir more than a test of HIV prevention. It is a test of South Africa’s ambition to manufacture more of the medicines Africa needs, while ensuring that access comes first.
South African researchers and trial participants helped generate the evidence showing that LEN can prevent HIV. The health department started rolling out the injection in June. Potential local manufacturers are also being assessed for a voluntary licence to produce generic versions in the country.
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