HIV Competitive Landscape at IDWeek 2025

ViiV:

• Following on the presentation of the CLARITY data at EACS, ViiV displayed a mannequin model in the medical section of their booth visually depicting examples of LEN ISRs and nodules vs CAB’s milder, shorter-duration reactions. The mannequin was supported by a QR code linking to full EACS results.
• The exhibition booth also featured a virtual reality experience, enabling visitors to take part in interactive injection administration tutorials for both Cabenuva and Apretude.
• ViiV debuted its new Cabenuva HCP campaign at IDWeek 2025, featuring the slogan “Viral Suppression With Oral ART Was the First Step, Now It’s Time to Take Your Patients Forward,” which is now also featured on the Cabenuva HCP website. The campaign includes new brand pillars: 1) Durable Efficacy Observed in the Real World, 2) Demonstrated Adherence By Patients, and 3) Desired by Patients.
  • The campaign uses real patient stories and interim VOLITION data (switch from DTG/3TC to CAB+RPV) to promote an oral induction to LAI maintenance model in TN PWH. This enables ViiV to strategically stratify patients into ‘early’ and ‘established’ switches.
• ViiV-sponsored educational events at IDWeek 2025 centered on the growing role of LAI therapies in HIV prevention and treatment.
  • ViiV's symposium titled “Proven LAI Implementation Strategies in HIV Prevention and Treatment” discussed the implementation of LAIs in HIV care and emphasized the importance of ‘meeting patients where they are’.
  • A panel discussion titled ‘Unlocking the Potential of Long-Acting Injectable Therapies for HIV Prevention and Treatment’ highlighted the benefits of LAIs in improving adherence, reducing stigma, and strengthening patient–provider relationships.
  • ViiV’s Learning Lounge focused on CAB for PrEP highlighting efficacy, real-world adherence, and DDI management in comparison with LEN.

Merck:

• Merck’s HIV presence at IDWeek 2025 was limited with a modest portion of the booth focused on Pifeltro attended by 1-2 MSLs. Despite this, Merck demonstrated ongoing scientific visibility through multiple posters on DOR/ISL and two educational symposia (one sponsored and one supported through educational grant) highlighting treatment optionality and HIV resistance while positioning DOR/ISL as a future non-INSTI containing 2DR option.

HIV Prevention:

CAB for PrEP

• EBONI: Black Women’s Experiences on Long-Acting CAB for PrEP: Interim Patient Findings
  • Black CGW and TGW receiving CAB for PrEP (N=130) completed surveys at Month 4; 46% were PrEP-naïve, 91% found Q2M injections acceptable, injection discomfort was low.
  • Overall satisfaction was high, with 96% reporting positive experiences, 97% willing to recommend CAB for PrEP, and 94% citing shared decision-making as useful
• Discontinuation of Cabotegravir for PrEP: Challenges and Opportunities
  • A retrospective chart review of 225 individuals initiating CAB for PrEP (2022–2024) showed 19.6% (n=44/225) discontinued, with 55% stopping after ≤3 injections; relocation (23%) and side effects (20%) were the leading causes.

HIV Treatment:

DTG/3TC (Dovato)

• DYAD: Real-world efficacy, safety and persistence of DTG/3TC vs B/F/TAF among VS PWH from the 96-week observational extension phase
  • The 96-week observational extension of DYAD (N=222; DTG/3TC n=149, B/F/TAF n=73) showed no significant difference in efficacy between DTG/3TC and B/F/TAF
  • Drug-related AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were 28% and 7% in the DTG/3TC arm vs 5% and 0% in the B/F/TAF arm, respectively.
  • Mean weight decreased by 1.1 kg with B/F/TAF and 1.8 kg with DTG/3TC, with no statistically significant difference between groups.
  • A significant difference in mean eGFR change was observed between arms, with an increase in the B/F/TAF arm and a decrease in the DTG/3TC arm.
• REGAL: A Retrospective Real-world Study of the Effectiveness and Tolerability of the Antiretroviral Treatment Regimens DTG/3TC Compared to BIC/FTC/TAF in OPWH (US and Global cohorts)
  • Both the Global and the US REGAL retrospective studies demonstrated comparable efficacy, safety and tolerability outcomes between DTG/3TC and B/F/TAF in OPWH (50+), with no significant difference observed between either endpoint.
  • Switch, change, or discontinuation of regimen was seen in 4.2% B/F/TAF vs 2.4% DTG/3TC [Global cohort] and 3.7% vs 1.2% [US cohort].

CAB+RPV (Cabenuva)

• PREFER-LA: Improved Adherence and Viral Control in Real-World Study of People with HIV (PWH) in the United States with Adherence Challenges on Oral Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Switching to Cabotegravir + Rilpivirine Long-Acting (CAB+RPV LA)
  • Study participants were PWH on CAB+RPV for 6-18 months with documented adherence challenges with prior oral ART
  • Following switch to CAB+RPV, 98% of participants achieved or maintained VL ≤200 c/mL (n=155/158), with 88% (n=139/158) achieving VL <50 c/mL.
  • 87% of participants did not miss any CAB+RPV doses within the last 6 months.
  • PREFER-LA also found that most PWH with prior adherence challenges reported a positive impact on their lives after switching to CAB+RPV, with HCPs noting improved adherence, engagement, and benefit from regular clinic visits.
  • OPERA: Few differences in persistence and virologic outcomes across age groups among CAB+RPV LA users: Findings from the OPERA Cohort
    • At time of this real-world analysis, 79% (n=3731/4748) of complete CAB+RPV initiators were alive and in care; the median cumulative time on CAB+RPV was 16 months.
    • (87%; n=4587/5264) had a VL<50 c/mL at initiation. Of those with ≥ 1 follow-up VL (n=4000), 95% had a VL<50 c/mL. CVF was seen in 1% (n=43/4000).
    • 11%; n=582/5264 had a VL≥50 c/mL at initiation. Of those with ≥ 1 follow-up VL (n=502), 79% had a VL<50 c/mL overall (67% [n=20/30] in those aged ≥65 years). CVF was seen in 2% (n=7/355) overall.
• Discontinuation Patterns and Virologic Failure Among Persons with HIV Receiving Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir-Rilpivirine Antiretroviral Therapy (P-384)
  • In this academic single-center retrospective study, discontinuations of CAB+RPV were high (20%). These occurred mainly due to care transfers and insurance barriers, underscoring real-world access challenges.
  • VF was rare and linked to pre-existing resistance, but not BMI, reinforcing the regimen’s strong tolerability and durability in clinical practice.

• Reasons for discontinuation of CAB+RPV LA for HIV treatment in the OPERA Cohort: A CHORUS survey of healthcare providers (P-383 – based on abstract data, poster not available)
  • 11% (474/4240) of CAB+RPV users discontinued the regimen, and 125 corresponding surveys were included in the analysis.
  • Of the 125 surveys included in the analysis, 67% (n=84/125) corresponded to individuals completely discontinuing CAB+RPV, while 33% intended to resume or re-initiate CAB+RPV.
  • The most common reasons for discontinuation were loss to follow-up or non-adherence to the schedule.

DOR/ISL

• Efficacy and Safety by Age (P-377) and by Sex Assigned at Birth (P-364) After Switch to Doravirine/Islatravir (100 mg/0.25 mg) Once Daily: Week 48 Results from Two Phase 3 Randomized, Active-Controlled Studies in Adults Living with HIV-1
  • Both analyses reaffirmed non-inferior efficacy of DOR/ISL vs bART and B/F/TAF across subgroups.
  • DOR/ISL was well tolerated across sexes and age groups, including ≥65 years, with AE comparable to bART and B/F/TAF, and low discontinuation observed.
  • CD4+ and lymphocyte counts remained stable through Week 48 and mean weight change was minimal (<2 kg), with no sex, or age-based differences observed.