Long-Acting HIV Treatment Shows Strong Results
A study presented at IDWeek 2026 shows that long-acting injectable HIV treatment (cabotegravir plus rilpivirine) maintains high levels of viral suppression in patients. The data indicates that 94% of patients remained suppressed, with very low rates of virologic failure.
Why it matters
Long-acting injectables offer a viable, effective alternative to daily oral medication, potentially improving adherence and quality of life for people living with HIV.
LONG-ACTING HIV treatment maintained viral suppression in 94% of patients, with confirmed virologic failure occurring in just 1%.
The findings, presented at IDWeek 2026, provide real-world evidence supporting the effectiveness of injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine in people with HIV who previously achieved viral suppression on oral antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Researchers analyzed data from the OPERA cohort, examining 7,995 people with HIV who switched to long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine between January 2021 and December 2025.
Of these, 6,955 (87%) were virologically suppressed at treatment initiation, defined as an HIV viral load below 50 copies/mL. The analysis included 6,362 patients who completed their first two injections within 67 days.
During their first uninterrupted treatment period, 94% had a viral load below 50 copies/mL at their last measurement, while 81% maintained this level across every recorded viral load test.
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