ViiV Healthcare presents long-term switch data for Dovato demonstrating non-inferior efficacy in adults with HIV-1 and zero cases of virologic failure versus continuation of a 3-drug TAF-based regimen

Week 96 findings from the TANGO study showed that switching to Dovato was non-inferior to continuing a TAF-based regimen in the Intention to Treat-Exposed (ITT-E) analysis (defined as all participants randomized to the study), based on the proportion of participants with plasma HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies per millilitre (c/mL) at Week 96 (Snapshot virologic failure: <1% vs 1%; adjusted difference: -0.8% [95% CI: -2.0%, 0.4%]).¹ In the Per-Protocol analysis (defined as participants who completed the study to 96 weeks), Dovato was shown to be superior to the TAF-based regimen arm (0% vs 1%; adjusted difference: -1.1% [95% CI: -2.3%, -0.0%]).¹

The proportion of participants with plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 c/mL was high in both arms and demonstrated non-inferiority in 86% ([317/369] of participants in the Dovato arm vs 79% [294/372] in the TAF-based regimen arm; adjusted difference: 6.8% [95% CI: 1.4%, 12.3%]).¹

Kimberly Smith, M.D., MPH, Head of Research & Development at ViiV Healthcare, said: “Today’s findings from the TANGO study provide more evidence that people living with HIV can keep their virus under control with a dolutegravir-based 2-drug regimen, reflecting the consistent results that we’re seeing in real-world cohorts. Following on from the GEMINI 1 & 2 results presented earlier this week for treatment-naïve adults, these results continue to support the inclusion of Dovato as a recommended therapy in international HIV treatment guidelines.”

Overall adverse event (AE) rates were similar between the two study arms, with more drug-related grade 2-5 AEs in the Dovato arm (6% [21/369]) vs the TAF-based regimen arm (2% [7/371]). Rates of adverse events were similar between treatment arms at both Week 48 and Week 96.1 Fasting lipids were similar to findings seen at Week 48 and generally in favour of Dovato: total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides showed significant differences favouring the Dovato arm, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol changes significantly favoured TAF-based regimens, with no difference in TC/HDL ratios between arms.¹ The Week 96 findings also showed indications of better renal function outcomes in the Dovato arm; decreases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by cystatin-C* were observed in both arms, with a significantly smaller decrease in the Dovato arm.¹ The clinical significance of these changes in biomarkers is unknown. 

About TANGO^1,2

TANGO is a phase III, randomized, open-label, active-controlled, multicentre study to assess the antiviral efficacy and safety of switching to a 2-drug regimen (2DR) consisting of dolutegravir/lamivudine in HIV-infected adults who are virologically suppressed and stable on a TAF-based regimen.

Study participants were HIV-1 infected adults on a TAF-based regimen with HIV-1 RNA<50 c/mL for at least six months, without prior virologic failure, no historical nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) or integrase inhibitor (INI) major resistance mutation, and no evidence of hepatitis B infection. Participants were randomized to switch to dolutegravir/lamivudine or continue on the TAF-based regimen through Week 148. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with a viral load of >50 c/mL at Week 48 (FDA Snapshot algorithm) for the ITT-E population.

About Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine)^3,4
Dovato is a once-daily, single-pill, 2-drug regimen (2DR) that combines the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INI) dolutegravir (Tivicay, 50 mg) with the NRTI lamivudine (Epivir, 300 mg).

Dovato (dolutegravir 50 mg/ lamivudine 300 mg tablets) is authorized in the EU for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents above 12 years of age weighing at least 40 kg, with no known or suspected resistance to the INI class, or lamivudine. In the US, Dovato is indicated as a complete regimen to treat HIV-1 infection in adults with no ARV treatment history or to replace the current ARV regimen in those who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on a stable ARV regimen with no history of treatment failure and no known resistance to any component of Dovato.

Like a dolutegravir-based three-drug regimen, Dovato uses two drugs to inhibit the viral cycle at two different sites. INIs, like dolutegravir, inhibit HIV replication by preventing the viral DNA from integrating into the genetic material of human immune cells (T-cells). This step is essential in the HIV replication cycle and is also responsible for establishing chronic infection. Lamivudine is an NRTI that works by interfering with the conversion of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which in turn stops the virus from multiplying.

Dovato is approved in the US, Europe, Japan and other countries worldwide.  Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

About ViiV Healthcare
ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 by GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV and for people who are at risk of becoming infected with HIV. Shionogi joined in October 2012. The company’s aims are to take a deeper and broader interest in HIV/AIDS than any company has done before and take a new approach to deliver effective and innovative medicines for HIV treatment and prevention, as well as support communities affected by HIV.

For more information on the company, its management, portfolio, pipeline, and commitment, please visit www.viivhealthcare.com.   

About GSK 
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/about-us/.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2019 and as set out in GSK’s “Principle risks and uncertainties” section of the Q2 Results and any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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