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Despite a year marked by cuts to humanitarian funding by the US and other countries, including the UK, 2025 also brought notable progress in vaccine research and in the development of new and improved treatments for some of the world’s toughest diseases. From expanded protection against cervical cancer to new tools against malaria, measles, HIV and tuberculosis, researchers and health organisations reported a series of milestones expected to save lives on a large scale.
Millions of girls protected against cervical cancer
A goal to protect 86 million girls against cervical cancer by the end of 2025 was reached ahead of schedule, strengthening expert hopes that the disease could be eliminated within the next century through the World Health Organization’s initiative (Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative).
Gavi, the vaccine alliance, began its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme in 2014, at a time when vaccine coverage in Africa stood at 4%. By the end of 2022, coverage was 15%, but evidence emerged that a single dose can offer protection comparable to the original two-dose schedule, simplifying delivery and effectively doubling the reach of available supply, according to updated WHO recommendations (WHO updates recommendations on HPV vaccination schedule).
In 2023, Gavi set an ambitious target to protect 86 million girls by 2025 (Cervical cancer vaccines save over 1 million lives in lower-income countries), and a coordinated push helped accelerate uptake. By the end of 2024, HPV vaccine coverage in Africa reached 44%, higher than Europe’s 38%. In November, Dr Sania Nishtar, Gavi’s chief executive, credited “countries, partners, civil society and communities” for achieving the 86 million target early and “driving major global progress towards eliminating one of the deadliest diseases affecting women”.
Cervical cancer continues to hit hardest in poorer regions: 85% of new cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa (study link), and globally a woman dies from the disease every two minutes. Gavi estimates that HPV vaccination can avert 17.4 deaths per 1,000 children vaccinated, meaning the 86 million vaccinations are expected to prevent about 1.4 million cervical cancer deaths.
First new type of malaria treatment in decades
After successful clinical trials, the first new type of malaria treatment in decades is preparing to seek regulatory approval. The drug, GanLum, from pharmaceutical company Novartis, performed better than the standard treatment, with a cure rate of 99.2% compared with 96.7%.
A key benefit is that GanLum is expected to work against malaria parasites that have developed resistance to artemisinin, a core component of today’s standard therapy. Resistance to artemisinin has become an increasing concern (report on artemisinin resistance). Dr George Jagoe of the Medicines for Malaria Venture warned that history shows the stakes: in the 1990s, resistance to chloroquine, which was then the standard treatment, contributed to millions of deaths (chloroquine resistance background).
Speaking at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene annual meeting (ASTMH), Jagoe said the prospect of an antimalarial like GanLum brings “a sense of relief”, likening it to “having a fire extinguisher” ready to use.
Researchers also hope GanLum may better curb transmission because of its effects on parasites at specific stages of their life cycle. Dr Abdoulaye Djimdé, professor of parasitology and mycology at the University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali, who was involved in development of the medicine, said it “could represent the biggest advance in malaria treatment for decades”, stressing that drug resistance is a growing threat to Africa and that additional treatment options are urgently needed.
More countries eliminating measles
Cape Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles became the first three sub-Saharan countries to officially eliminate measles and rubella (WHO Africa announcement). The achievement came even as measles cases rose worldwide, with an estimated 11 million infections in 2024.
In November, the Americas region lost its measles-free status due to outbreaks in Canada, while the US faced its worst measles outbreak in decades (PAHO notice).
The progress in the three African countries was described as “a major public health achievement”. Dr Mohamed Janabi, the World Health Organization’s director for Africa, said it demonstrates what can be achieved when prevention leads policy and vaccines are prioritised, adding that efforts should expand so that “every child in Africa can grow up healthy and protected”.
Beyond Africa, 21 Pacific island countries also eliminated measles and rubella in 2025. This status means endemic transmission has been interrupted for more than three years and surveillance systems are in place to rapidly detect and contain imported cases. Botswana and Rwanda reached 95% coverage with measles and rubella vaccination—the benchmark needed to interrupt transmission.
Globally, measles deaths fell by 88% between 2000 and 2024, and a WHO report found that nearly 59 million lives have been saved by the measles vaccine since 2000 (WHO report).
A new HIV-prevention drug reaches sub-Saharan Africa
A drug described as a potential “gamechanger” for the HIV epidemic reached sub-Saharan Africa within months of its approval in the US (report on rollout). Lenacapavir is administered as an injection twice a year and can almost completely prevent HIV infection. US regulators approved it in June, and the WHO recommended it in July.
Manufacturer Gilead signed agreements with six generic-drug manufacturers, enabling production of lower-cost versions for use in 120 countries. Under agreements with Unitaid and the Global Fund, those versions will be provided at about $40 (£30) per patient per year.
Until generic production begins, Gilead committed to providing lenacapavir at no profit for up to two million people over the next two years. In November, the first shipments arrived in Eswatini and Zambia (University of Liverpool note), and rollout is expected to begin in early 2026.
Campaigners argue access must expand further, warning that poor communities in countries excluded from Gilead’s generic agreements will still struggle to afford the drug at a list price of $28,218 for one year of treatment for one person. They also stress that the intervention will need to be deployed at massive scale to reduce new infections, while funding for HIV services remains fragile.
Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, said that making the tool available in low- and middle-income countries “nearly simultaneously with high-income countries” is itself a breakthrough, noting that previous HIV-prevention drugs took an average of five years to reach these settings after efficacy became clear.
Advances in the fight against TB
Since being identified in 1882, tuberculosis has killed more than a billion people and remains the world’s leading infectious disease killer (research reference). Even so, the pace of innovation is accelerating. Four TB vaccines are in final-stage testing (WHO pipeline analysis), and easier-to-use diagnostics—including simple tongue swabs—could improve detection (tongue swab preprint).
New treatments are also emerging. A drug highlighted as a potential breakthrough is expected to improve cure rates and shorten treatment duration (report on sorfequiline). In November, trial results presented at the Union World Conference on Lung Health showed that a new antibiotic, sorfequiline, had stronger action than existing therapies.
Dr Mel Spigelman, president of TB Alliance, which developed the drug, said scientific progress continues to benefit health systems, people with TB and communities. The new development builds on a regimen introduced in 2019 for more complicated forms of TB, which reduced treatment time from more than 18 months to six months. Replacing one component of that regimen with sorfequiline could shorten it further, with additional trials planned for 2026.
Dr Rod Dawson of the University of Cape Town Lung Institute said advances such as sorfequiline make once-aspirational goals—including the eradication of TB—feel increasingly achievable, while stressing that sustained work is still required until TB is no longer a threat.
