HIV Drug Duo Matches Triple Therapy Efficacy

ViiV Healthcare's two-drug HIV regimen, Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine), has demonstrated efficacy comparable to Gilead's three-drug regimen, Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide), in treatment-naïve adults. The VOGUE study reported that 89% of patients on Dovato achieved virologic suppression by week 48, versus 92% on Biktarvy.

Both treatment groups experienced rapid and similar viral suppression times, around 4.1 weeks. Crucially, Dovato exhibited a high barrier to resistance, with no instances of treatment-emergent resistance noted across either arm. Safety profiles were also found to be comparable between the two regimens.

These findings are set to be presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 27-31, 2026. ViiV Healthcare emphasizes that these results build upon a decade of evidence supporting Dovato as a viable option for individuals initiating HIV treatment, potentially reducing the number of daily medications without compromising efficacy or resistance barriers.

The study involved 509 treatment-naïve adults across multiple countries. Dovato, approved in the US in April 2019 and expanded to adolescents in 2024, generated sales of $3.4 billion in fiscal year 2025, significantly less than Biktarvy's $14.3 billion in the same period. The global HIV market is projected to grow, with long-acting therapies and novel single-tablet regimens driving expansion.