Long-Acting Injectable 

Researchers say that GS-6207, Gilead’s first-in-class capside inhibitor, can remain in our body’s system for up to 24 weeks. 

According to results from an early clinical trial presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2019) last month, a new long-lasting injectable appeared safe when administered to humans, reports David Artavia at hivplusmag.com.

If all goes according to plan, researchers say the injectable could potentially be administered every three months or less. 

The new drug is called GS-6207, Gilead’s first-in-class capsid inhibitor. As NAM AIDS Map reports, Jennifer Sager of Gilead Sciences presented findings from a phase I study—the first in humans—evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of the new drug in HIV-negative volunteers.

While modern antiretroviral therapies are generally tolerated well, newer medications have shown to offer different avenues in treating and preventing HIV, especially for poz folks whose virus can be resistant to certain types of drugs. Long-acting therapies like GS-6207 could potentially improve adherence and help make life easier for those needing to take multiple medications every single day, reports hivplusmag.com.

GS-6207 works by interfering with the assembly and disassembly of the HIV capsid, which is basically the genetic blueprint of the virus. 

The fact that the drug itself can remain in the system for up to 24 weeks should give hope to possible long-lasting injections for HIV-positive people.