ViiV HEALTHCARE WELCOMES NEW WHO GUIDANCE AND CONTINUES TO ENABLE ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE HIV TREATMENTS INCLUDED IN RECOMMENDATIONS

The 2025 WHO HIV recommendations reflect the latest evidence-informed interventions that will help to support implementation to expand access and promote improved health outcomes for people impacted by HIV. This article provides an update on access provisions for ViiV Healthcare innovations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) covered in the new WHO guidance updates.

Dolutegravir (DTG) + lamivudine (3TC)

DTG+3TC is now recommended for treatment simplification in adults and adolescents with undetectable HIV viral load on three-drug antiretroviral regimens and without active hepatitis B infection. As a result of our transformative voluntary licensing partnership with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), two generic formulations of DTG+3TC manufactured by sub-licensees have already received US FDA tentative approval with product already registered in 13 LMICs and supplied in three.

Infant post-natal prophylaxis

While this is not a labelled indication, DTG-based regimens are now recommended for infants who are at high risk of acquiring HIV. These WHO recommendations, which aim to improve the care and treatment of children living with HIV, highlight the importance of our partnership with the MPP. To date, our partnership with the MPP has enabled widespread access to DTG-based treatment options for children and infants in over 100 LMICs, via our licensing agreements, as well as a novel public-private partnership between ViiV, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Unitaid.

Long-acting injectable cabotegravir + rilpivirine (CAB+RPV LA)

Following the recommendation for CAB+RPV LA as a switch option for adults and adolescents with undetectable HIV viral load, we have expanded our voluntary licence with the MPP for cabotegravir to include patents relating to its use in a long-acting HIV treatment regimen. The expanded licence will help enable access to long-acting treatment in 133 countries worldwide, including all least-developed, low-income, lower middle-income and Sub-Saharan African countries, as well as countries where ViiV does not have patent rights for cabotegravir. Through the agreement, the existing licensees, Aurobindo, Cipla and Viatris, will be able to develop, manufacture and supply generic versions of CAB LA, for use in combination with long-acting rilpivirine, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg, subject to required regulatory approvals being obtained.

To see the full list of updates made by the WHO, please click here.

For more information on how ViiV Healthcare is enabling access to reach those most impacted by HIV, please click here.