ViiV Healthcare’s Apretude shows over 99% effectiveness in real-world studies

ViiV Healthcare, the specialist HIV company majority owned by GSK (LSE: GSK), today announced the presentation of new real-world evidence and implementation data showing the effectiveness, adherence, and quality-of-life improvement of Apretude (cabotegravir long-acting (CAB LA)) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), at IDWeek 2024.

Findings from two real-world evidence studies (from OPERA and Trio Health cohorts) showed more than 99% effectiveness of CAB LA for PrEP in nearly 1,300 individuals. In the PILLAR implementation study, reductions were shown in stigma and anxiety among the 200 individuals using the long-acting injectable PrEP option.  Apretude sales hit £72 million ($94 million) in the second quarter of 2024.

ViiV Healthcare chief medical officer Dr Harmony Garges commented: “The findings presented at IDWeek 2024 continue to support the strong and sustained effectiveness of Apretude for people in real life, outside the controlled environment of a clinical trial. The results of the studies from OPERA and Trio cohorts add to the growing body of evidence generated over the last three years, showing CAB LA for PrEP is a highly effective option for HIV prevention. We believe long-acting options have the potential to be transformative in increasing uptake among a broad range of people that could benefit from PrEP and are critical to ending the HIV epidemic.”