Discussing PrEP, PEP, and Vaccine Development
Here is the first in a news series on the state of HIV today including prevention, funding, and newer modalities. HIV prevention in the form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) continues to be a highly effective method of reducing the risk of contracting HIV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PrEP reduces […]
Model-Based Analysis of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination Effectiveness in Washington and Oregon
A study evaluating mRNA COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness in Washington and Oregon found a 74% reduction in hospitalizations from January 2020 to December 2022. Primary vaccination was particularly effective during the Alpha and Delta waves, while booster doses contributed 15% to the reduction. Researchers used a model-based counterfactual approach, accounting for immunity buildup, variant emergence, and […]
The FRESH Study Tests New HIV Remission Strategy in South African Women
Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD, scientific director of the HIV Pathogenesis Programme and Professor of HIV/TB Research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal presented results from the FRESH study at CROI 2025, a Phase 2a trial exploring a combination regimen of two broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), VRC07-523LS and CAP256V2LS, alongside the TLR7 agonist vesatolimod (VES) for HIV […]
Doravirine and Islatravir Combination Shown to be Noninferior to Once-Daily ART
At CROI today, Merck presented results of its investigational combination therapy of doravirine and islatravir (DOR/ISL) showing it was noninferior to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF).1 “At week 48, HIV-1 RNA was ≥50 c/mL in 5 (1.5%) participants on DOR/ISL and 1 (0.6%) on BIC/FTC/TAF (difference 0.9%, 95% CI -1.9, 2.9; CI upper bound <4%), demonstrating non-inferiority […]
Cabotegravir Combined With Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Maintains Undetectable HIV
ViiV Healthcare presented results today at this week’s CROI conference from its EMBRACE study demonstrating further evidence the combination of its broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAb) N6LS, (VH3810109 or VH109), administered every 4 months, effectively maintained undetectable viral load when combined with long-acting cabotegravir. Results from the phase 2b study, EMBRACE, demonstrate that 96% of participants […]
Results from the LAPTOP Trial
At CROI 2025, Georg Behrens, MD, PhD, professor for T-Cell Immunology at Hannover Medical School, discussed the findings from the LAPTOP trial, a multi-center, European, open-label study that compared bictegravir (BIC) with darunavir (DRV) in therapy-naïve individuals with advanced HIV disease. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an integrase inhibitor (INI)-based […]
Exploring Novel Dosing Strategies by Reducing Once Daily Biktarvy
Investigators found they could reduce the once-daily (OD) dosing of theantiretroviral therapy (ART) bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF), (Biktarvy) from OD up to 3 weeks safely and effectively over a nearly a year time period.1 “In virally suppressed [people with HIV] PWH on [BIC/FTC/TAF] BETAF OD, the strategy of reducing the BETAF OD dose to 3W, 2W, […]
Gilead’s Once-Yearly Lenacapavir Formulations Show Sustained Efficacy for HIV PrEP in Phase 1 Study
At the CROI 2025, Moupali Das, MD, MPH, vice president of HIV prevention and virology pediatrics at Gilead Sciences, discussed new findings from a Phase 1 study investigating two formulations of once-yearly intramuscular (IM) lenacapavir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). These results, published simultaneously in The Lancet, present significant progress in the fight against HIV […]
Initial Findings from IMC-M113V Trial for HIV Functional Cure Strategy Shows Potential
Beatriz Mothe, MD, PhD, an infectious disease specialist at the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute and attending physician at HUGTIP, Badalona, presented Immunocore’s early findings from the Phase 1/2 STRIVE trial on IMC-M113V, a novel HIV functional cure candidate at CROI 2025. The trial explores the potential of IMC-M113V, a T-cell receptor bispecific therapy designed to […]
HIV Education and Advocacy in an Age of Uncertainty
Federal clinical research funding freezes being carried out by the Trump Administration is affecting the HIV specialty. This means research looking at everything from HIV vaccines to new treatments remains paused without any timeline for when the funding might resume again. These freezes may also influence HIV prevention and clinical care. With concerns around these […]
