Gilead and Merck Announce Positive Topline Results From Two Phase 3 Studies Evaluating Islatravir/Lenacapavir, an Oral Once-Weekly HIV Treatment
– Novel Investigational Combination Pairs Merck’s Islatravir, a Next-Generation Nucleoside Analog with Distinct Mechanisms of Action, Including Reverse Transcriptase Translocation Inhibition, with Gilead’s Lenacapavir, a First-in-Class Capsid Inhibitor that Disrupts HIV at Multiple Stages of its Lifecycle –
– Islatravir/Lenacapavir has the Potential to be the
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“Long-acting oral therapies represent a new wave of transformational innovation in HIV drug development, with the potential to reshape the landscape of care,” said
The primary efficacy endpoint of ISLEND-1 and ISLEND-2 was the percentage of participants with HIV-1 RNA levels ≥ 50 copies/mL at Week 48, defined by the FDA snapshot algorithm. In the double-blind ISLEND-1 trial, the once-weekly, single-tablet regimen of ISL/LEN was found to be statistically non-inferior to BIKTARVY. In the open-label ISLEND-2 trial, ISL/LEN was found to be statistically non-inferior to standard of care daily oral antiretroviral therapy regimens. The safety profile of ISL/LEN was generally comparable to BIKTARVY in ISLEND-1 and to standard of care antiretroviral regimens in ISLEND-2.
“These results underscore the shared focus and commitment that we and our collaborators at Gilead have on continuing research to help people living with HIV. By advancing this investigational novel once-weekly oral regimen of islatravir and lenacapavir, we aim to bring forward a new long-acting oral option that, if approved, would represent the first of its kind with less frequent dosing and further expand options for people living with HIV,” said Dr.
The combination of islatravir and lenacapavir targets multiple stages of HIV-1 replication, potentially offering people with HIV who are virologically suppressed a novel, long-acting oral single-tablet regimen. The potency and pharmacokinetic profiles of islatravir and lenacapavir enable long-acting dosing as a once-weekly tablet for HIV treatment, if approved.
Islatravir and lenacapavir in combination are investigational and not approved for use.
There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS.
About ISLEND-1
ISLEND-1 (NCT06630286) is a Gilead-sponsored, multicenter Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trialdesigned to evaluate the safety and efficacy of switching to a once-weekly tablet of islatravir/lenacapavir (ISL/LEN) versus continuing treatment with BIKTARVY (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) in people with virologically suppressed HIV (HIV-1 RNA levels < 50 copies/mL) on BIKTARVY for ≥ 6 months prior to screening. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive initial doses of ISL/LEN on Day 1 and Day 2 followed by once-weekly ISL/LEN from Day 8 to Week 96 plus placebo-to-match BIKTARVY daily, or BIKTARVY daily plus placebo-to-match initial doses of ISL/LEN on Day 1 and Day 2 and placebo-to-match once-weekly ISL/LEN from Day 8 to Week 96. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥ 50 copies/mL at Week 48, as determined by the
About ISLEND-2
ISLEND-2 (NCT06630299) is a Gilead-sponsored, multicenter Phase 3 randomized, open-label, active-controlled trialevaluating the safety and efficacy of switching to a once-weekly tablet of ISL/LEN versus continuation of standard of care treatment in people with virologically suppressed HIV (HIV-1 RNA levels < 50 copies/mL) on a stable standard of care antiretroviral regimen for ≥ 6 months prior to screening. A standard of care regimen included two or three antiretroviral medicines, including integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), boosted protease inhibitors (PI) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI). Participants either received an initial dose of ISL/LEN followed by once-weekly ISL/LEN from Day 8 to Week 96, or continued their standard of care treatment with two/three antiretroviral medicines up to Week 96. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥ 50 copies/mL at Week 48 by FDA-defined Snapshot Algorithm. Key secondary endpoints included the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥ 50 copies/mL at Week 96, as determined by the
About Lenacapavir
The multi-stage mechanism of action of lenacapavir is distinguishable from other approved classes of antiretroviral agents. While most antiretrovirals act on one stage of viral replication, lenacapavir is designed to inhibit HIV at multiple stages of its lifecycle and has no known exhibited cross-resistance in vitro to other existing drug classes.
Lenacapavir is being evaluated as a long-acting option in multiple ongoing and planned early and late-stage clinical studies in Gilead’s HIV treatment and prevention research program. Lenacapavir is being developed as a foundation for potential future HIV therapies to offer both long-acting oral and injectable options with several dosing frequencies, in combination or as a mono-agent, that help address the individual needs and preferences of people and communities affected by HIV.
For an overview of Gilead’s HIV treatment and prevention clinical development program, please click here.
About Islatravir (MK-8591)
Islatravir (MK-8591) is Merck’s potent, next-generation nucleoside analog that blocks HIV-1 replication by multiple mechanisms including inhibition of reverse transcriptase translocation, resulting in immediate chain termination, and induction of structural changes in the viral DNA (delayed chain termination).
Islatravir is anchoring multiple ongoing early and late-stage clinical trials of two-drug regimens in combination with other
For an overview of Merck’s HIV treatment and prevention clinical development program, please click here.
About Gilead HIV
For almost 40 years, Gilead has been a leading innovator in the field of HIV, driving advances in treatment, prevention and cure research. Gilead researchers have developed 13 HIV medications, including the first single-tablet regimen to treat HIV, the first antiretroviral for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help reduce new HIV infections, and the first long-acting injectable HIV prevention medication administered twice-yearly. Our advances in medical research have helped to transform HIV into a treatable, preventable, chronic condition for millions of people.
Gilead is committed to continued scientific innovation to provide solutions for the evolving needs of people affected by HIV around the world. Through partnerships, collaborations and charitable giving, the company also aims to improve education, expand access and address barriers to care, with the goal of ending the HIV epidemic worldwide. Gilead has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top two leading philanthropic funders of HIV-related programs in a report released by Funders Concerned About AIDS.
Discover more about Gilead’s unique collaborations worldwide and the work to help end the HIV epidemic.
About
Merck’s Commitment to HIV
For 40 years,
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Gilead Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including Gilead’s ability to initiate, progress or complete clinical trials or studies within currently anticipated timelines or at all, and the possibility of unfavorable results from ongoing and additional clinical trials or studies, including those involving lenacapavir (such as ISLEND-1 and ISLEND-2); uncertainties relating to regulatory applications and related filing and approval timelines, including potential applications for programs and/or indications currently under evaluation, such as oral once-weekly single-tablet HIV treatment regimen of islatravir/lenacapavir, and the risk that any regulatory approvals, if granted, may be subject to significant limitations on use or subject to withdrawal or other adverse actions by the applicable regulatory authority; the possibility that Gilead may make a strategic decision to discontinue development of these programs and, as a result, these programs may never be successfully commercialized for the indications currently under evaluation; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are described in detail in Gilead’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead, and Gilead assumes no obligation and disclaims any intent to update any such forward-looking statements.
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GILEAD CONTACTS:
Priscilla White, Media
public_affairs@gilead.com
Jacquie Ross, Investors
investor_relations@gilead.com
MERCK CONTACTS:
Melissa Moody, Media
mediarelations@merck.com
Damini Chokshi, Investors
investor_relations@merck.com
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
