ViiV Healthcare announces positive data demonstrating 2-drug regimen Dovato is as effective as 3-drug regimen Biktarvy for maintenance therapy of HIV-1

Rhea-AI Summary

ViiV Healthcare announced positive 48-week results from the PASO DOBLE study, comparing the 2-drug regimen Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) to the 3-drug regimen Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate) for HIV-1 treatment. The study showed that:

1. Dovato demonstrated non-inferior efficacy in maintaining viral suppression compared to Biktarvy.

2. Participants taking Dovato experienced significantly less weight gain compared to those on Biktarvy.

3. Safety profiles were comparable between both regimens.

These findings support Dovato as an effective treatment option for virologically-suppressed adults living with HIV, addressing concerns about treatment-related weight gain.

Positive

• Dovato demonstrated non-inferior efficacy compared to Biktarvy in maintaining viral suppression
• Participants taking Dovato experienced significantly less weight gain (0.89kg) compared to Biktarvy (1.81kg)
• Lower proportion of participants on Dovato (20%) experienced >5% weight gain compared to Biktarvy (29.9%)
• Few discontinuations due to adverse events in both study arms (Dovato: 0.4%, Biktarvy: 0.7%)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The PASO DOBLE study results are a significant leap in the field of HIV treatment. This phase IV randomized clinical trial has shown that the 2-drug regimen Dovato is non-inferior in efficacy compared to the 3-drug regimen Biktarvy for maintaining viral suppression. The standout finding here is the reduced weight gain associated with Dovato, which addresses a key patient concern. Maintaining weight stability is critical for long-term health outcomes in HIV patients. This could potentially shift treatment paradigms, especially for patients concerned about weight gain related to their therapy.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, this news is quite impactful for ViiV Healthcare. The positive outcome of the PASO DOBLE study could lead to increased adoption of Dovato over Biktarvy, which may translate into higher market share and revenue growth for ViiV. Investors will likely view this as a positive development, especially given the competitive landscape of HIV treatments. Moreover, the fact that this study was the largest head-to-head comparison adds to its credibility and could drive significant market interest.

Market Research Analyst

The market implications of the PASO DOBLE study are noteworthy. The reduced weight gain associated with Dovato compared to Biktarvy could make it a preferred choice among healthcare providers and patients. This might lead to a competitive edge for ViiV Healthcare in the HIV treatment market. Additionally, the findings presented at a major international conference like AIDS 2024 will further bolster the visibility and acceptance of Dovato. This news could potentially disrupt the current market dynamics in favor of ViiV Healthcare.

• Largest head-to-head randomised clinical trial between DTG/3TC and BIC/FTC/TAF, conducted by SEIMC-GeSIDA Foundation (FSG) showed DTG/3TC demonstrated non-inferior efficacy compared to BIC/FTC/TAF as a switch regimen for virologically-suppressed adults living with HIV over 48 weeks of therapy
• DTG/3TC-treated individuals had significantly less weight gain compared to those randomised to BIC/FTC/TAF

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ViiV Healthcare, the global specialist HIV company majority owned by GSK, with Pfizer and Shionogi as shareholders, announces 48-week findings from PASO DOBLE (GeSIDA 11720 study), the largest head-to-head, phase IV randomised clinical trial (RCT) investigating the 2-drug regimen Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine [DTG/3TC]) compared to the 3-drug regimen Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate [BIC/FTC/TAF]) for the treatment of HIV-1 in people who are virologically suppressed and who could benefit from treatment optimisation.¹

Findings showed that switching to DTG/3TC in virologically suppressed adults living with HIV demonstrated non-inferior efficacy in maintaining viral suppression compared with switching to BIC/FTC/TAF.¹ These data will be presented at the 25^th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024), held in Munich, Germany (22-26 July).

Harmony P. Garges, M.D., MPH, Chief Medical Officer at ViiV Healthcare, said: “The results from PASO DOBLE show that Dovato demonstrated non-inferior efficacy compared to Biktarvy, and that the average weight gain for trial participants taking DTG/3TC was significantly lower than those taking BIC/FTC/FTC over the course of the year. This is a meaningful outcome, as treatment-related weight gain is an important topic for many people living with HIV. At ViiV Healthcare we're dedicated to bringing innovative HIV treatments to people living with HIV that are not only safe and effective, but also address their specific needs beyond viral suppression.”

In the PASO DOBLE clinical trial, 553 people living with HIV and virally suppressed switched treatment to either DTG/3TC (n=277) or BIC/FTC/TAF (n=276).¹ The study population included individuals who were on therapy that could be optimised, such as multiple tablet regimens, or those containing pharmacokinetic boosting agents or drugs with cumulative toxicity, such as efavirenz or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).² The study met its primary endpoint when DTG/3TC demonstrated non-inferior efficacy versus BIC/FTC/TAF based on the proportion of participants with viral RNA ≥50 copies/mL at 48 weeks using the FDA snapshot and a 4% non-inferiority margin in the exposed intention-to-treat population.¹

At 48 weeks, DTG/3TC was non-inferior to BIC/FTC/TAF (risk difference between DTG/3TC [2.2%] minus BIC/FTC/TAF [0.7%] of 1.4%, 95% CI -0.5 to 3.4). One participant in the BIC/FTC/TAF arm and zero in the DTG/3TC arm had protocol-defined confirmed virological failure through week 48 (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 c/mL followed by a second consecutive HIV-1 RNA assessment ≥200 c/mL).¹

The study found in a key secondary endpoint that weight increased significantly more in participants who switched to BIC/FTC/TAF (adjusted mean change 1.81kg, 95% CI 1.28-2.34) than in those who switched to DTG/3TC (adjusted mean change 0.89kg, 95% CI 0.37-1.41) [difference 0.92kg, 95% CI 0.17-1.66] through week 48. Equally, the proportion of participants with weight gain greater than 5% at week 48 was significantly higher at 29.9% for BIC/FTC/TAF compared to 20% for DTG/3TC (adjusted OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.19-2.76).¹

Weight change with DTG/3TC did not differ between men and women or based on the previous regimen of participants, whereas the proportion of trial participants experiencing greater than 5% weight gain with BIC/FTC/TAF was approximately 45% higher than those taking DTG/3TC when switching from a regimen with abacavir (30.6% BIC/FTC/TAF vs 21.1% DTG/3TC), and about 2-fold higher when switching from a regimen with TDF (40.7% BIC/FTC/TAF vs 19.5% DTG/3TC). Safety was comparable through week 48 and consistent with known safety profiles. There were few discontinuations due to adverse events in both study arms (DTG/3TC = 1, 0.4%; BIC/FTC/TAF = 2, 0.7%), with no differences between arms.¹

Esteban Martínez, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Investigator of the PASO DOBLE study and Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Spain said: “The HIV treatment regimens that are commonly prescribed today are all highly effective, which makes it critical that we study the impact of these therapies beyond just viral suppression. The results from PASO DOBLE show Dovato, a 2-drug regimen, not just demonstrated the same efficacy as a 3-drug regimen, but also showed less weight gain compared to BIC/FTC/TAF through 48 weeks.”

About PASO DOBLE^1,2

The PASO DOBLE (NCT04884139) randomised clinical trial is a phase IV, open-label, randomised multicentre clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of DTG/3TC versus BIC/FTC/TAF for the maintenance of virologic suppression in people living with HIV-1, conducted in 30 sites across Spain. Virologically suppressed people living with HIV on regimens containing ≥1 pill/day, boosters, or drugs with cumulative toxicity such as efavirenz or TDF were eligible and were randomised (1:1) to switch to either DTG/3TC or BIC/FTC/TAF. The primary endpoint was the proportion of people living with HIV with RNA ≥50 copies/mL at 48 weeks (FDA snapshot, 4% non-inferiority margin) in the intention-to-treat exposed population. Secondary outcomes measured included, among others, absolute weight gain, BMI change, and the proportion of participants with weight change greater than 5%.

About Dovato

Dovato is indicated as a complete regimen to treat HIV-1 infection in adults with no antiretroviral (ARV) treatment history or to replace the current ARV regimen in those who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on a stable ARV regimen with no history of treatment failure and no known resistance to any component of Dovato.

Dovato is approved in the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, and other countries worldwide.

Please consult the full Summary of Product Characteristics for all the safety information: Dovato 50 mg/300 mg film-coated tablets.

Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

About SEIMC-GeSIDA Foundation (FSG)

The SEIMC-GeSIDA Foundation (FSG) was created to encourage, promote, and support scientific and technical research and development, training, and publication of findings in the field of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases and associated conditions. FSG was founded by investigators from the Spanish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases as a tool to promote high-quality investigation in the field of HIV infection and other infectious diseases. The Foundation also aims to respond to the scientific concerns of the group’s members. FSG is composed of qualified professionals with experience in the field of clinical trials and multicentre studies. Its streamlined infrastructure facilitates performance of clinical studies and responds to the needs of investigators in terms of methodology/statistical analysis and of logistics and management of trials and other multicentre studies. We also provide staff to run events such as scientific meetings and conferences (national and international) and to organise courses, lectures, talks, seminars, round-table talks, and specialised workshops.

For more information on the FSG, please visit https://fundacionseimcgesida.org/en/quienes-somos/

About ViiV Healthcare

ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 by GSK (LSE: GSK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV and for people who are at risk of acquiring HIV. Shionogi became a ViiV shareholder in October 2012. The company’s aims are to take a deeper and broader interest in HIV and AIDS than any company has done before and take a new approach to deliver effective and innovative medicines for HIV treatment and prevention, as well as support communities affected by HIV.

For more information on the company, its management, portfolio, pipeline, and commitment, please visit viivhealthcare.com.

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D “Risk factors” in GSK’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2023, and GSK’s Q1 Results for 2024.

Registered in England & Wales: GSK plc No. 3888792	ViiV Healthcare Limited No. 06876960
Registered Office: GSK plc 980 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex United Kingdom TW8 9GS	ViiV Healthcare Limited GSK Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage United Kingdom SG1 2NY

References

¹ P. Ryan, et al. Non-inferior efficacy and less weight gain when switching to DTG/3TC than when switching to BIC/FTC/TAF in virologically suppressed people with HIV (PWH): the PASODOBLE (GeSIDA 11720) randomised clinical trial. Presented at the 25th International AIDS Conference. July 2024
² Clinical Trials.gov - DTG/​3TC vs. BIC/​FTC/​TAF Maintenance Therapy in People Living With HIV: (PASO-DOBLE). Available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04884139. Last accessed July 2024

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FAQ

What were the main findings of the PASO DOBLE study comparing Dovato and Biktarvy for HIV-1 treatment?

The PASO DOBLE study found that Dovato (DTG/3TC) demonstrated non-inferior efficacy compared to Biktarvy (BIC/FTC/TAF) in maintaining viral suppression in HIV-1 patients. Additionally, patients taking Dovato experienced significantly less weight gain compared to those on Biktarvy over 48 weeks.

How did weight gain differ between Dovato and Biktarvy in the PASO DOBLE study?

In the PASO DOBLE study, participants taking Dovato had an adjusted mean weight change of 0.89kg, while those on Biktarvy had a 1.81kg increase. The proportion of participants with >5% weight gain was significantly higher for Biktarvy (29.9%) compared to Dovato (20%).

What was the primary endpoint of the PASO DOBLE study comparing Dovato and Biktarvy?

The primary endpoint of the PASO DOBLE study was to demonstrate non-inferior efficacy of Dovato (DTG/3TC) versus Biktarvy (BIC/FTC/TAF) based on the proportion of participants with viral RNA ≥50 copies/mL at 48 weeks using the FDA snapshot and a 4% non-inferiority margin.

How many participants were included in the PASO DOBLE study comparing Dovato and Biktarvy?

The PASO DOBLE study included 553 people living with HIV who were virally suppressed. Of these, 277 participants switched to Dovato (DTG/3TC) and 276 switched to Biktarvy (BIC/FTC/TAF).