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The head of the U.N. AIDS agency,Winnie Byanyima, stated on Monday that the sudden loss of American funding has been “devastating” for HIV prevention efforts, potentially costing many lives among the world’s most vulnerable populations.
In response to this crisis, she proposed an innovative deal to U.S. President Donald Trump that could enable the production and global licensing of the prevention drug lenacapavir by the U.S. company Gilead, aiming to significantly advance the fight against HIV/AIDS.
However, she also presented an “amazing deal” for U.S. President Donald Trump that she claimed could lead to “the end of AIDS.”
During a news briefing in Geneva, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima explained that the proposal would allow Trump to enable the U.S. company Gilead to produce and license its “magical” prevention drug, lenacapavir, for millions in need worldwide.
Lenacapavir, marketed as Sunlenca, has been proven to completely prevent HIV infection in women with twice-yearly injections and is nearly as effective in men.
“President Trump likes deals,” Byanyima remarked, noting that it was President George W. Bush who first funded the widespread distribution of HIV drugs over two decades ago.
“It could be President Trump, another Republican president, who leads the prevention revolution towards the end of AIDS,” Byanyima said.
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She added that the deal would result not only in profits for Gilead and create jobs for Americans, but save millions of lives in poorer countries.
Byanyima noted that American funding accounted for approximately 35% of UNAIDS’ core budget last year, but it remains uncertain whether this funding will be reinstated for the coming year. She mentioned that the agency is in discussions with the U.S. government while also preparing for a worst-case scenario in which U.S. funding is not available.
She expressed doubt that other donors could compensate for this gap, stating that European donors have indicated they would be reducing their support to redirect funds toward defense and other priorities.
Byanyima warned that if support for HIV initiatives is not restored, there could be over 6.3 million additional deaths in the next four years, along with an increase of 2,000 new infections per day.
