Despite progress in treating and managing HIV, the global fight against the virus faces ongoing challenges as new infections persist. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 39.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2023, with 1.3 million new infections reported that year. While sub-Saharan Africa has seen marked progress, over half of the new HIV infections in 2023 occurred outside the region, signaling a shifting landscape of the epidemic. These statistics underscore the urgent need for sustained and accelerated efforts to prevent new HIV infections and provide essential services to those living with the virus.
Within the South East Asian region, an estimated 4 million people were living with HIV in 2023, of which 78 per cent knew their status, and 66 per cent were receiving treatment. In India, reports suggest that in 2023, 68,000 people were newly infected with HIV.
Prevention Strategies and Challenges
Long-acting technologies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) continue to play a crucial role in preventing new HIV infections. However, access to these technologies remains limited to a few countries. Promising new HIV prevention products, such as long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and lenacapavir, offer convenience and high efficacy, raising expectations for improved prevention strategies. The key challenge, however, lies in ensuring accessibility and affordability of these advanced prevention methods.
Focus on Vaccine Development
Recognizing the persistent challenges in HIV prevention, the WHO is prioritizing vaccine development as a critical strategy. In November 2024, the WHO identified HIV as one of 17 pathogens for which new vaccines are urgently needed. This prioritization is based on factors including regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk, and socioeconomic impact. The complex biology of HIV makes it a difficult target for vaccine development, but several projects are showing promise.
Immuno Cure BioTech, a clinical-stage biotechnology group based in Hong Kong Science Park, has completed a Phase I clinical trial of its novel therapeutic HIV vaccine, ICVAX. The trial demonstrated exceptional safety and promising immunogenicity profiles. The company is now in communication with the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China to initiate a Phase II clinical trial, anticipated to commence in mid-2025.
African-Led Research Initiatives
In a significant development, eight African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique, have launched a groundbreaking, African-led HIV vaccine research and development project. This initiative offers hope for a vaccine tailored to the specific needs of the region's population.
The Need for Comprehensive Solutions
Despite ongoing research and development efforts, an effective solution for HIV prevention remains elusive. Even with the development of effective prevention tools, optimum policy implementation and minimizing patient stigmatization are crucial for successful outcomes. As the world commemorates World AIDS Day, collective action is essential to sustain and accelerate progress in the fight against HIV.
