Challenges Faced When Creating a Vaccine for HIV

Li Tao, PhD, discusses early US uptake of twice-yearly lenacapavir, faster prescription-to-injection timelines, and how ACA coverage milestones tracked with zero cost sharing and HIV diagnoses.

Jean van Wyk, MBChB, MFPM, discussed the 5-year OPERA data from IDWeek 2026 as well as the anticipated CROWN study results.

Dr. Reddy’s generic twice-yearly lenacapavir received FDA tentative approval for HIV PrEP. It is expected to cost $40 a year in 120 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with first supplies due by the end of 2026.

Cefiderocol MICs fell against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the drug showed marked synergy with LL-37 against resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, discusses her team's findings around this therapy and these pathogens.

Shionogi data presented at IDWeek 2026 demonstrated a 76.7% clinical response with cefiderocol in carbapenem-resistant respiratory infections and high in vitro activity against resistant P aeruginosa VAP isolates. Christine Slover, PharmD, vice president, Infectious Diseases US Medical Affairs, Shionogi, offers insights on the data as well as clinical considerations for providers when weighing the antibiotic for patients.

Alejandra Gurtman, MD, discussed the phase 2 data at IDWeek 2026 which showed the investigational 25-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 25vPnC produced serotype 3 antibody levels about 15-fold higher than Prevnar 20 after the booster dose, targeting a serotype still behind 10.6% of invasive pneumococcal disease in US children younger than five years.

Investigational asuptegravir cut HIV-1 RNA by up to 2.36 log10 copies/mL in 10 days, and adding fostemsavir boosted CD4 gains in immunologic nonresponders.

Deborah Fuller, PhD, provides commentary around the data, and advantages of the technology.