Islatravir-lenacapavir for the treatment of HIV-1 infection

Islatravir-lenacapavir as a fixed-dose combination is being developed for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection in persons with low or reduced HIV virus load in their blood (virologically suppressed). HIV is a type of virus that mainly attacks and destroys the immune system, especially a kind of white blood cell called CD4 cells. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Although they are quite similar, HIV-1 tends to cause illness more quickly and is easier to catch than HIV-2. HIV spreads through infected body fluids. Taking one HIV pill a day (called a single-tablet regimen) is the standard treatment around the world. However, some people still struggle to take their drugs daily. A once-a-week oral islatravir-lenacapavir tablet (HIV pill) might help people stick to their HIV-1 treatment more easily than taking the medicine every day.