The long-acting HIV prevention jab cabotegravir has a higher acceptability rating among patients than lenacapavir, according to a study.
ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company majority owned by GSK, with Pfizer and Shionogi as shareholders, reported that 90 per cent of patients in the trial preferred cabotegravir over Gilead’s lenacapavir, saying injections hurt less, and there was less swelling after injection.
Cabotegravir – marketed under the brand name Cabenuva among others – needs to be given once every two months, whereas lenacapavir – sold as Yeztugo – is given once every six.
As part of the Phase 1 study, named CLARITY, 63 HIV-negative participants were randomised to receive one long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylactic (PrEP), and then given the other after 15 days.
“The CLARITY study showed that after receiving a single dose of each, more individuals and healthcare professionals preferred cabotegravir over lenacapavir injections,” said Jean van Wyk, Chief Medical Officer at ViiV Healthcare.
“These early findings provide valuable insights into long-acting injectable options to help empower individuals and their healthcare providers to make fully informed choices.”
The Phase 1 study results were presented at the ongoing 20th European AIDS Conference (EACS) in Paris, which finishes on Saturday (18 October).
