Cabotegravir and rilpivirine long-acting treatment proves highly effective and widely accepted across multiple global studies

ViiV Healthcare has announced new data from the phase 3b VOLITION study showing that nearly 90 percent of treatment-naïve people living with HIV opted to switch to long-acting injectable treatment after achieving rapid viral suppression with daily pills.

The study, presented at IAS 2025, evaluated individuals who began treatment with daily dolutegravir and lamivudine (DTG/3TC) and were later offered the option to switch to cabotegravir and rilpivirine long-acting (CAB+RPV LA), branded as Vocabria and Rekambys in Europe. According to the results, 89 percent of eligible participants chose to switch from daily oral therapy to the injectable regimen, citing convenience, reduced anxiety over missed doses, and the freedom from carrying daily medication.

“Data from the VOLITION study highlight how providing choice in HIV care empowers individuals to choose medicines that meet their evolving everyday needs,” said Jean van Wyk, Chief Medical Officer at ViiV Healthcare.

“Long-acting injectables provide options that can offer high effectiveness and tolerability, improved adherence, and a preferred dosing schedule compared with daily oral pills. We believe they are a key part of HIV treatment and prevention and will play a critical role in achieving our ambition of ending HIV and AIDS.”

Real-world studies presented alongside VOLITION continue to reinforce the effectiveness and patient preference for CAB+RPV LA across diverse settings. In the BEYOND study, 97 percent of participants maintained viral suppression at 24 months, while the COMBINE-2 study across seven European countries showed a 99 percent suppression rate and low discontinuation rates. Similarly, in Germany’s CARLOS study, 94 percent of participants remained on schedule with injections, with nearly all maintaining viral suppression at the last check.

In the OPERA study, which included individuals with detectable viral loads, 88 percent achieved viral suppression following initiation of CAB+RPV LA, with a separate analysis of women showing a 92 percent suppression rate.

In addition to HIV treatment, ViiV presented implementation science data for Apretude (cabotegravir long-acting for PrEP), indicating strong preference and feasibility among key populations. In the PILLAR study, 95 percent of participants who switched from oral PrEP reported being happy with the change to long-acting therapy, and 98 percent said they would recommend it. The EBONI study, which focused on Black cis and transgender women in the US, also found high satisfaction and feasibility, with clinics tripling their capacity to offer the injectable without additional staff.

The findings reflect growing momentum behind long-acting HIV treatment and prevention strategies, with evidence suggesting they can improve adherence, reduce stigma, and enhance overall quality of life for people living with or at risk of HIV.