NICE OKs Injectable HIV Drug and Gives Conditional Approval to SMA Therapy

The UK’s National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE) has given a thumbs-up to the first dual-agent injectable HIV-1 treatment for use by the National Health Service.

The combination treatment includes ViiV Healthcare’s Vocabria (cabotegravir) and Johnson & Johnson’s Rekambys (rilpivirine) administered as two separate injections every two months after initiation with oral forms.

Cabotegravir is already recommended for patients whose HIV viral load is low and stable and who don’t show signs of viral resistance. 

 “[F]or some people, having to take daily multi-tablet regimens can be difficult because of drug-related side effects, toxicity and other psychosocial issues, such as stigma or changes in lifestyle,” said Meindert Boysen, deputy chief executive and director of the Centre for Health Technology Assessment at NICE. The injectable form may improve adherence, he said.