The International AIDS Society Conference 2025 (IAS 2025) brought together global leaders in HIV science, policy, and community advocacy against a backdrop of funding crises and scientific breakthroughs. In Kigali, Rwanda, one theme rang clear: innovation alone isn’t enough. Delivery, access, and equity must catch up with the science. We spoke with leading experts and advocates to ask: What single development at IAS 2025 will have the greatest impact on HIV prevention or care going forward? Their answers capture the momentum, and the challenges, that will shape the next era of the global HIV response.
The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
“The WHO’s endorsement of twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir represents a significant advance in HIV prevention, simplifying adherence by reducing dosing frequency and enabling community-based delivery through pharmacies and telehealth. This expands access for diverse populations, including adolescents and hard-to-reach groups.
Complementing this, MK-8527 is an investigational once-monthly oral pill offering a convenient long-acting alternative to daily PrEP. Well tolerated in adults, MK-8527 is advancing to phase III trials in Africa, potentially broadening prevention options continent-wide. Funding cuts were also a major topic, highlighting ongoing challenges in sustaining HIV prevention and care programs.”
View full Q&A on the PURPOSE 1 & 2 trials investigating lenacapavir
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
“The rollout of long-acting lenacapavir and cabotegravir in low- and middle-income countries, and the progress of MK‑8527 are among the most exciting developments. These advances reflect a growing toolkit of prevention options tailored to the needs and preferences of diverse populations.”
View full Q&A on the phase 2 MK-8527 results
Medical Director, AVAC
“One of the most exciting developments was the phase II data on the monthly PrEP pill from Merck, MK-8527. This drug is now entering large phase III trials. We know long-acting PrEP is transformative, but delivering injectables at scale is a major challenge. A monthly pill could offer a simpler, scalable alternative.”
On the other hand, some of the most sobering data at the conference came from studies showing how quickly recent US policy shifts have affected PrEP access, treatment, and testing. But what gave me hope was seeing how ministries of health, implementers and communities are already planning entirely new programme models to adapt.
I expected the conference to be sombre, but I was genuinely surprised by the sense of hope, determination and energy that really permeated the entire conference. That optimism is what will carry us forward.”
View full Q&A on the new strategies to combat the changing HIV funding landscape
Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, TX, USA
“The World Health Organization formally recommended lenacapavir as a twice-yearly long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at IAS 2025. With nearly 100% efficacy in trials, it offers a game‑changing alternative for individuals who struggle with daily pill routines, especially key populations facing adherence, stigma, or access barriers. This marks a major policy shift emphasizing expanded PrEP choices for those that need the service.”
View full Q&A on the BREATHER Plus trial findings
Further content in HIV
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES. It is not affiliated with the International AIDS Society (IAS). Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Editor: Katey Gabrysch, Editorial Director.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES in collaboration with the speakers during separate interviews. touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES utilize AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat). The content was developed and edited by human editors. No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
Kenneth Mayer has received Grant/Research Support from Gilead, Merck and ViiV Healthcare and is on the advisory board for Gilead, Merck and ViiV Healthcare.
Cite: Expert voices on the future of HIV prevention: Highlights IAS 2025. touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES. 07 August 2025.
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