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Single Daily Bictegravir–Lenacapavir Pill Matches Complex HIV Regimens in Phase III

Gilead plans near‑term regulatory submissions following Lancet‑published ARTISTRY‑1 results presented at CROI 2026.

Overview

  • ARTISTRY‑1 found non‑inferior efficacy at 48 weeks, with about 96% of switchers maintaining viral suppression and FDA Snapshot virologic failure of 0.8% versus 1.1% on complex regimens.
  • The randomized, open‑label trial enrolled 557 adults across 15 countries (2:1 switch versus continue), with a median age of 60 years, a median 28 years on therapy, and high rates of historical resistance and comorbidities.
  • Participants who switched reported higher treatment satisfaction, and lipid measures improved, addressing cardiovascular risk factors common in this older cohort.
  • Safety was generally acceptable with no new signals reported; six participants discontinued the investigational pill for adverse events and five deaths in that arm were deemed unrelated to study drug.
  • Supportive ARTISTRY‑2 data showed similarly low virologic failure versus Biktarvy, and longer‑term and blinded Phase III follow‑up studies are underway as the combination remains investigational.