Uganda has taken a bold step in global health equity by announcing plans to manufacture the Lenacapavir HIV treatment at a dramatically reduced cost. While this new injectable drug currently costs $28,000 annually in the United States, Ugandan biotech firm DEI BioPharma plans to offer it locally for under $50. This shift could completely transform access to life-saving HIV care in developing nations.
DEI BioPharma will begin producing Lenacapavir—branded as Yeztugo—within the next 18 months. The drug, developed by Gilead Sciences and recently approved by the U.S. FDA, requires only two injections per year. Because Uganda qualifies under the TRIPS Agreement’s Least Developed Countries exemption, the company can legally produce the patented drug until 2034 without violating global intellectual property rules. This legal window gives DEI BioPharma the chance to make advanced HIV treatment widely accessible.
“This will be the first complete treatment of HIV in Africa at a price our people can afford,” said Dr. Matthias Magoola, founder and managing director of DEI BioPharma. His statement reflects a determined effort to change how Africa manages its HIV epidemic. For years, high prices kept the most effective treatments out of reach. Uganda now aims to break that cycle.
Lenacapavir brings major innovation. As a capsid inhibitor, it only needs to be administered twice a year. This long-acting method improves convenience and may increase adherence. In communities where access to clinics is limited, fewer doses can make a life-saving difference. By cutting the price so dramatically, Uganda turns a medicine for the few into a tool for the many.
The impact of this initiative could be enormous. Africa continues to carry the highest HIV burden globally. DEI BioPharma’s local production model allows Uganda to control both cost and distribution. In doing so, the country positions itself as a leader in pharmaceutical independence and public health innovation.
While Lenacapavir stands at the center of the news, DEI BioPharma is building much more. The company is expanding into treatments for malaria, cancer, diabetes, and hepatitis. It also focuses on manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to support self-reliance in the region. DEI’s sprawling facility in Matugga, Wakiso District—just outside Kampala—forms the backbone of this mission.
Commissioned in 2021 by Presidents Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto, the Matugga facility includes 30 manufacturing units. It produces everything from generics and vaccines to monoclonal antibodies and mRNA-based therapies. The site is equipped to manufacture one billion doses of mRNA vaccines annually and meets international standards set by the U.S. FDA, EMA, and WHO. Moreover, the company has filed over 100 patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, showcasing a commitment to indigenous innovation.
Dr. Magoola sees this moment as more than a medical achievement. “This is not just about medicine—it’s about sovereignty,” he said. “We’re proving that Uganda and Africa can innovate, manufacture, and lead in global biotechnology.” His vision includes not only improved healthcare but also major economic growth.
In fact, DEI BioPharma expects to generate over 40,000 jobs. These include roles in science, manufacturing, logistics, and technology. By investing in human capital and infrastructure, the company aims to elevate Uganda’s biotech industry to world-class status.
This move also sends a strong message to the international community. Uganda is proving that developing countries don’t have to wait for expensive imports. Instead, they can produce high-quality medicines at affordable prices, on their own terms. The decision to manufacture the Lenacapavir HIV treatment is a clear challenge to a system that often prioritizes profit over people.
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