(Alliance News) - GSK PLC on Thursday said that ViiV Healthcare has found that its injectable Cabenuva is as effective as the daily oral Biktarvy in treating HIV-1.
ViiV Healthcare is a specialist HIV company with GSK PLC as a majority shareholder, alongside shareholders Pfizer Inc and Shionogi & Co Ltd.
The SOLAR study produced positive 12 month findings, showing that the every-two-month regimen of Cabenuva - or cabotegravir and rilpivirine - was as effective in treating HIV-1 as the daily oral Biktarvy.
Further, 90% of participants who switched from Biktarvy preferred the long-acting regimen to daily pills.
At the beginning of the study, 47% of participants reported one or more challenges with taking their daily therapy, including: being worried about people unintentionally discovering their HIV status; being worried about forgetting to take their HIV medication; or feeling that taking their HIV medication was an uncomfortable reminder of their HIV status.
When asked why they preferred Cabenuva, participants said having an injection every two months meant they didn't have to worry about remembering to take their medication, or think about their HIV status every day.
"The treatment needs of people living with HIV are changing, with ample evidence on patient preference suggesting some people living with HIV can experience challenges with taking daily oral treatment for HIV," said ViiV Chief Medical Officer Harmony Garges.
She added: "We are confident that cabotegravir, as part of a complete long-acting regimen, is a cornerstone for the long-acting treatment era in HIV medicine, as supported by its strong and durable efficacy, safety, and by the fact that 90% of participants in this study who completed a survey preferred a long-acting regimen after switching from their daily oral pills."
Within the study, 670 participants who were virally suppressed and taking Biktarvy were randomised 2:1 to switch to Cabenuva (447 participants) or continue taking their daily oral (223 participants).
GSK shares were trading 1.2% lower at 1,464.00 pence each in London on Thursday morning, while Pfizer shares were up 0.1% in after-hours at USD42.44 in New York.
By Holly Beveridge; Alliance News reporter
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