University of Utah biochemist Wesley Sundquist has made headlines by being included in Time Magazine’s prestigious list of “100 Most Influential People of 2025.”
Sundquist finds himself alongside notable figures such as Elon Musk, Serena Williams, Joe Rogan, Demi Moore, and Donald Trump, an unexpected honour that has left him pleasantly surprised.
“It was really a surprise that came out of the blue,” Sundquist told the Deseret News. “It was kind of a thrill.”
Colleagues in the medical science community firmly believe that Sundquist’s inclusion on this eclectic list is well-deserved due to significant advancements made in HIV prevention stemming from his lab’s research.
Sundquist’s recognition is linked to the development of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking drug that effectively prevents HIV infections.
Developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir has been described as “exceptionally effective,” providing protection for an extended period of six months with just a single dose, according to a release from the University of Utah Health.
As part of the development process, Sundquist consulted with Gilead Sciences and collaborated closely with his counterpart at the company, Tomas Cihlar, who also shares the honour of being recognized by TIME.
The Time 100 list, to be featured in the magazine’s April 28, 2025 issue, includes Sundquist and Cihlar in the “Pioneers” category.
In a short essay on their work, the magazine highlighted the evolution of today’s antiviral treatments, which can transform HIV from a once-fatal disease into a chronic condition.
Despite advancements, it noted that the current cocktail of pills remains inaccessible for many individuals, and missed doses can render them less effective.
Sundquist and Cihlar have dedicated more than twelve years to the mission of developing lenacapavir into a twice-a-year therapeutic option for those at high risk of HIV exposure.
Sundquist laid essential groundwork by studying one of HIV’s proteins, known as the capsid, which encapsulates the virus’ genetic material.
Impressed with Sundquist’s discoveries, Cihlar took them to Gilead, where his team innovatively extended the drug’s effects to last over six months. Thus, only two injections per year would be needed to prevent HIV infection.
The magazine’s essay went on to convey optimism about lenacapavir, as research is being conducted to test its efficacy in high-risk individuals who are not HIV positive.
If approved, lenacapavir would be the first injectable drug that could be administered biannually to prevent HIV.
Early results from clinical trials have been promising, indicating a remarkable efficacy of 99.9 to 100 percent in preventing HIV infections — a success Sundquist describes as “spectacularly successful,” according to the university’s release.
He noted that if widely distributed, lenacapavir has the potential to drastically lower global HIV infection rates.
“It feels like our work has made a difference,” Sundquist commented.
He further added, “Worldwide, there are still 1.3 million new infections every year. This has the promise to help prevent that and really change the course of the pandemic, especially in the developing world.”
The origin of lenacapavir traces back to decades of basic, curiosity-driven research in Sundquist’s lab.
Initially, the team was not looking specifically for drug therapies; rather, they focused on understanding how the HIV virus particle assembles.
They discovered that a key protein of the virus was especially sensitive to alterations, which subsequently became an excellent target for drug development.
“Today, we recognize Dr. Sundquist for his work that began more than 20 years ago as a quest to understand the structure of HIV, which has now led to a medication that could prevent the spread of HIV worldwide,” remarked Dr. Rachel Hess, Associate Vice President for Research at University of Utah Health in the university release.
“This is an amazing example of fundamental research creating the environment to improve health around the globe.”
Dr. Bob Carter, CEO for University of Utah Health and Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, expressed pride in Sundquist’s recognition, stating, “We’re honored that the global impact of his work has been recognized and incredibly proud that his work continues at U of U Health.”
Next week, Sundquist and the other influencers will be celebrated at Lincoln Center in New York.
Describing the event, Sundquist said, “It’s supposed to be a black tie, red carpet kind of thing, which is not my style,” he laughed. “But I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”
On a more serious note, Sundquist hopes that his recognition in Time Magazine will cast a spotlight on the critical need for ongoing medical research funding, particularly from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
As a basic research lab, Sundquist mentions that they are currently facing considerable challenges.
“Labs like mine function because we have sustained support from the NIH,” he said.
He emphasized that delivering the cutting-edge drugs his team has strived to develop for decades requires substantial resources, which are also under threat.
Wesley Sundquist advocates strongly for “basic research,” underscoring its unpredictable nature in yielding significant advances.
“We never know how it’s going to result in important advances, but inevitably, across the field and across time, it does result in important advances,” he stated.
“If we support it, it has a very strong track record — and if we don’t, we’ll risk losing our feedstocks for new ideas in medicine.”
image source from：https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/04/16/university-of-utah-researcher-honored-by-time-magazine/
