ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer, and Shionogi Limited as shareholders, has formalized its collaboration with Janssen Sciences Ireland UC for the Phase III investigation and commercialization of the long-acting, injectable formulations of cabotegravir (ViiV Healthcare) and rilpivirine (Janssen) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. The long-acting formulations of cabotegravir (CAB LA) and rilpivirine (RPV LA) are being investigated as an injectable maintenance treatment for patients who have achieved viral suppression.

As part of this agreement and as announced in November 2015, the two companies expect to start a Phase III program to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the long-acting, two drug injectable regimen in mid-2016.

This is the second development agreement with Janssen. In June 2014 both companies entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize a single-tablet combining ViiV Healthcare's integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), dolutegravir (Tivicayand Janssen's non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), Edurant (rilpivirine). A Phase III clinical trial program to evaluate the safety and efficacy of both medicines as maintenance treatment of HIV-1 infection began in May 2015. These agreements build on ViiV Healthcare's strategy to collaborate with other companies, institutions and not-for-profit organisations to contribute to the understanding and management of HIV.

Source: GlaxoSmithKline