LEN, the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP product, offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options. With just two doses per year, LEN is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV – particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.

Nikolay Lunchenkov, a medical doctor and researcher from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), was part of the WHO development group that contributed to these new PrEP guidelines. With a focus on HIV and Chemsex among gay and bisexual men in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Lunchenkov highlighted the significance of this innovation for the region.

“In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where stigma, criminalization, and fragmented health systems often deter access to HIV prevention, long-acting PrEP like lenacapavir is more than a clinical tool—it’s a symbol of autonomy and dignity for communities long excluded from care.”

You can access the entire WHO-guideline as well as an informative executive summary at the corresponding WHO page.