New Hope for HIV Prevention in England

A groundbreaking six-monthly injection aimed at reducing HIV transmission risk is now available for sexually active women in select areas of England as part of a major clinical study.

Injectable PrEP: A Game Changer

The innovative trial will take place in both France and the UK, with research hubs established in Birmingham, Manchester, London, and Brighton. Participants will have access to a new injectable medication known as Lenacapivir, administered twice a year, marking a significant departure from the currently available daily PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) tablets offered by the NHS.

Promising Results from Previous Trials

Dr. Steve Taylor, principal investigator for the Purpose 5 trial and Clinical Service Lead at Birmingham Heartlands HIV service, emphasized the transformative potential of injectable PrEP. He highlighted the remarkable results from the Purpose 1 trial conducted in Africa, where none of the 2,134 women who received Lenacapivir tested positive for HIV.

Targeting Women Who Are at Risk

With the study's goal to determine whether these injections offer significant benefits as an HIV prevention strategy, researchers are keen to engage women who traditionally are less likely to adhere to daily PrEP tablets. Recent government statistics reveal a concerning trend: while 75% of men who have sex with men identified as needing PrEP have either started or continued treatment in 2023, women account for a startlingly low four percent of all PrEP prescriptions in the UK.

Addressing Rising HIV Diagnoses Among Women

Alarmingly, women who have sex with men now represent the highest proportion of new HIV diagnoses in England, accounting for 46% of all new HIV transmissions through sex in 2023. In comparison, men who have sex with men represented 28%, and men who have sex with women made up 26%.

What Participants Can Expect

Women who join the study will receive either the daily pill or the innovative six-monthly injection, with the trial slated to last a minimum of two years and requiring around four clinic visits each year.

A Call to Action for Women

Dan Hartland, CEO of the West Midlands HIV support charity Saving Lives, praised injectable long-acting PrEP as a major advancement in HIV prevention, particularly for women. He emphasized that to meet the government’s target of eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030, a multifaceted approach combining testing, treatment, and preventive measures is crucial.

How to Get Involved

Dr. Taylor encourages women interested in participating in the Birmingham trial to reach out via email by the end of April, promising an opportunity to be part of an impactful shift in HIV prevention.