Release
2025/07/24
• 89% of people living with HIV expressed a preference to switch from daily oral therapy to long-acting injectable Cabenuva
OSAKA, Japan, July 24, 2025 - Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; Chief Executive Officer: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; hereafter "Shionogi") announced that ViiV Healthcare Ltd. (“ViiV”), in which Shionogi holds equity alongside GlaxoSmithKline plc and Pfizer Inc., has presented results from the Phase IIIb VOLITION study of Cabenuva at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025).
The VOLITION study was conducted in treatment-naïve adults living with HIV. Following rapid viral suppression with daily oral Dovato (dolutegravir and lamivudine), participants were offered the choice to either continue with Dovato or switch to the long-acting injectable Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine).
Results showed that 89% (n=129/145) of participants chose to switch to Cabenuva. The most commonly cited reasons were “Not having to worry about missing a dose each day” (80%) and “Not having to carry medication” (68%). These findings highlight the potential of long-acting regimens to improve adherence and overall treatment satisfaction among people living with HIV.
Shionogi has positioned “Protect people from the threat of infectious diseases” as one of its key material issues and is committed to addressing the three major infectious diseases—HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria—through comprehensive initiatives. With over 60 years of experience in infectious disease research and development, Shionogi will continue to work in partnership with ViiV Healthcare to contribute to global health by advancing both treatment and prevention strategies for HIV.
Reference:
About Dovato (marketed in Japan as Dovato Combination Tablets)
Dovato is a daily oral two-drug regimens containing dolutegravir 50 mg and lamivudine 300 mg. It is approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults who are either treatment-naïve or virologically suppressed on antiretroviral therapy, with no known resistance to dolutegravir or lamivudine.
About Cabenuva (marketed in Japan as Vocabria Intramuscular Suspension and Rekambys® Intramuscular Suspension)
Cabenuva is the world’s first long-acting injectable for HIV treatment. It is approved in major markets including Japan, the U.S., Europe, and China as a treatment option administered once every two months.1
In addition to the results of this study, multiple real-world data led by ViiV Healthcare—including COMBINE-2, CARLOS, BEYOND, and OPERA—have demonstrated high efficacy, tolerability, and improved adherence, contributing to enhanced treatment satisfaction across a broad range of patient populations.2
1. ViiV Healthcare Press Release: February 26, 2024
LATITUDE PHASE III INTERIM TRIAL DATA INDICATES ViiV HEALTHCARE’S LONG-ACTING INJECTABLE HIV TREATMENT CABENUVA (CABOTEGRAVIR + RILPIVIRINE) HAS SUPERIOR EFFICACY COMPARED TO DAILY THERAPY IN INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV WHO HAVE ADHERENCE CHALLENGES
2. ViiV Healthcare Press Release: July 14, 2025
ViiV HEALTHCARE DATA SHOW 89% OF TREATMENT-NAÏVE PEOPLE WITH HIV CHOOSE TO SWITCH TO LONG-ACTING INJECTABLE VOCABRIA + REKAMBYS FROM DAILY PILLS AFTER ACHIEVING RAPID VIRAL SUPPRESSION
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, lack of availability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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