26 Feb 6-12 Injections Per Year May Maintain HIV Control
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Wim Parys
Wim Parys MD
Global Head R&D Global Public Health
Janssen
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Parys: In collaboration with ViiV Healthcare, we are working to develop the first long acting all-injectable combination regimen of Janssen’s rilpivirine and ViiV’s cabotegravir. Yesterday, we have announced promising Phase 2b data of this combination regimen which when given together every 4 or 8 weeks was able to maintain viral suppression with similar efficacy to a daily oral regimen of three HIV medicines. The results show that the combination met its primary endpoint at week 32. The study will now continue in its randomized controlled design for another 64 weeks enabling us to assess longer term outcomes. In parallel to this we will work to initiate the next stages of clinical development.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Parys: That we may have the potential to offer many people living with HIV the option to switch from taking three oral drugs a day to just six or twelve injections of each drug a year. With this, our hope is to make HIV infection more manageable for patients in need of such an option.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Parys: Janssen and ViiV Healthcare have been working together on this regimen, through a number of clinical trial agreements, for several years. The results from the 32 weeks support moving this regimen into phase III development where we will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the regimen. These will be led by ViiV Healthcare with support from Janssen.
Medical Research: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Parys: While there have been many advances in therapy of HIV infection, we remain committed to ensuring that those living with HIV have access to simplified advanced treatment and care. Through innovative strategies we aim to improve access to medicines, foster collaborations, and support public health solutions to sustainably advance HIV health care worldwide so that one day we can Make HIV History.
In addition to the first all-injectable regimen of HIV medicines we also have three potential HIV single tablet regimens in late stage clinical development and a potential preventative HIV vaccine in human clinical studies, as well as a potential preventative tool for women.
Citation:
CROI 2016 February 2016 The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
LATTE2 Study of Combination Long Acting Injectable Antiretrovirals in the treatment of HIV
Margolis DA, González-García J, Stellbrink HJ, et al. Cabotegravir+rilpivirine as long-acting maintenance therapy: LATTE-2 week 32 results. Presentation at Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), Boston, MA, USA; 22-25 February 2016: abstract 31LB.
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Wim Parys MD (2016). 6-12 Injections Per Year May Maintain HIV Control
Last Updated on February 26, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD