ViiV Healthcare says phase 1 study of VH184 show improved potency

ViiV Healthcare, the global specialist HIV company majority owned by GSK (GSK), with Pfizer (PFE) and Shionogi (SGIOY) as shareholders, announced data from its phase 1 study of long-acting formulations of VH184, the first, third-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor in development for HIV. Results show a single-dose injection could maintain drug levels for up to six months. In-vitro data from a separate study demonstrate improved potency and an enhanced resistance profile versus bictegravir in resistant HIV strains. Additional data from ViiV Healthcare’s long-acting pipeline presented at the 33rd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Denver, Colorado, show VH499, an investigational capsid inhibitor, was generally well tolerated and support the potential for ultra long-acting twice-yearly dosing. These early-stage findings, alongside continued progress of other ULA pipeline assets, including lotivibart, reinforce ViiV Healthcare’s commitment to advancing innovative long-acting HIV therapies that reduce the need for daily treatment and expand options for people living with HIV. Kimberly Smith, M.D., MPH, Head of Research & Development at ViiV Healthcare, said: “Our R&D efforts are built around delivering best-in-class, long-acting therapies that challenge the status quo and help make HIV treatment a smaller, less frequent part of people’s lives. The data we’re presenting on VH184, our third-generation INSTI, indicate a potential high barrier to resistance and twice-yearly dosing intervals. Early results for VH499, a capsid inhibitor, point to its potential for dosing every six months. These data underscore how ViiV Healthcare is working to define the future of HIV care through ultra long-acting options designed to address the needs and preferences of people living with HIV and will inform our plans to introduce the first INSTI-based, twice-yearly regimen for people with HIV.”