GSK unit's Cabenuva shows superior viral suppression in trial

GSK's majority-owned HIV specialist company, ViiV Healthcare, announced on 6 October 2026 that its phase IIIb CROWN trial met its primary endpoint. Long-acting Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine) achieved superior rates of viral suppression at six months compared with standard daily oral antiretroviral therapy in patients with detectable virus at study entry.

The international study evaluated whether adults and adolescents living with HIV-1 who have detectable virus can directly start Cabenuva, administered six times a year, without prior oral viral suppression. The trial enrolled approximately 326 participants across 85 study sites in eight countries.

Cabenuva is currently approved in the United States and other markets only for patients who are already virologically suppressed on stable therapy. ViiV Healthcare, which is also owned in part by Shionogi, stated that the use of Cabenuva in patients with detectable viremia remains investigational, and the company plans to share the CROWN data with regulatory health authorities.