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A once-weekly tablet could maintain HIV control as well as existing daily treatment, according to the results of a phase III international study.
The study’s findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine on 29 July 2026 and presented at the AIDS 2026 conference, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 26–31 July 2026.
Researchers analysed data from 607 adults with well-controlled HIV across 106 clinical sites in 12 countries, as part of the phase III ISLEND-1 trial (NCT06630286), which was sponsored by Gilead Sciences.
After 48 weeks, a once-weekly tablet combining islatravir and lenacapavir (ISL/LEN) proved non-inferior to the once-daily oral bictegravir–emtricitabine–tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) regimen, the study results revealed.
The researchers also observed that more than 93% of participants in both ISL/LEN and B/F/TAF groups maintained viral suppression, while no participants receiving the weekly treatment experienced virological failure during the study.
Senior study author Chloe Orkin, professor of infection and inequities and dean for healthcare transformation at Queen Mary University of London, said: “The first ever weekly oral therapy for the treatment of HIV could offer welcome relief from the burden of life-long daily pill-taking for people living with HIV. This is especially important for people that are experiencing stigma and people with other HIV-associated health conditions who are taking multiple other tablets.”
Stephanie Katiyar, HIV PrEP implementation and sexual health pharmacist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “Importantly, this provides an alternative to the only currently available long-acting treatment option: two-monthly injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART), which may not be acceptable or practical for every person.
“Although injectable ART has been transformative for many, some people do not want regular injections or may find attending clinic every two months difficult. A once-weekly oral option could therefore fill an important gap by offering the benefits of less frequent dosing without the need for injections.
“The combination of two novel long-acting antiretrovirals, ISL/LEN, is particularly promising. If longer-term efficacy, safety and resistance data continue to be favourable, this could become an important addition to the HIV treatment landscape. Expanding the range of effective treatment options is essential, as the best regimen is ultimately the one that aligns with an individual’s preferences and supports lifelong adherence.”
James Cole, senior policy, research and influencing manager at the National AIDS Trust, said: “A weekly option could make treatment easier to live with and help people stay engaged in care.
“At the National AIDS Trust, we know that one size doesn’t fit all. Some people will prefer daily tablets or long-acting injections, while others may find a weekly pill works better for them.
“Having more treatment options means people can choose what best fits their lives, helping them live well and maintain an undetectable viral load. Expanding the range of treatment options available will also help bring us closer to reaching the government’s goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
