Drug name
Last update: Jul 2026Cabotegravir (CAB)
Developer(s)
Drug information
Cabotegravir
Apretude, Vocabria
Small molecule
integrase strand transfer inhibitor; INSTI)
Cabotegravir (CAB), also known as GSK1265744, is a HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). Long-acting versions of CAB (CAB-LA) are currently administered once monthly or every-2-months as a intramuscular (IM) injection containing an extended-release drug particle nanosuspension, with an optional ~30 day oral-lead in period. CAB-LA administered by IM injection requires approximately one week to achieve maximal plasma drug concentration. CAB is metabolised in the body by the enzyme UGT1A1; with the average half-life of IM CAB-LA ranging from 5.6 to 11.5 weeks.
An injectable formulation of cabotegravir is approved for use for HIV PrEP and as part of a regimen, for HIV treatment
Cabotegravir LA, both as suspension for intramuscular injection 600mg/3ml (200mg/ml) and as 30 mg tablet is included in WHO PQ: https://extranet.who.int/prequal/sites/default/files/document_files/EOI_23rd%20HIV_9July_2025_clean_PQ.pdf Cabotegravir for PrEP is included in WHO guidelines. CAB+RPV LA injectable for treatment, is also recommended by WHO to be used as an alternative switching option for adults and adolescents with undetectable HIV viral load on oral ART and without active hepatitis B infection : https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/guidelines ViiV Healthcare and Medicines Patent Pool have signed a voluntary licensing agreement to enable access to long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV PrEP and HIV treatment
Therapeutic area(s)
- HIV
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Treatment
Administration route
Oral, Intramuscular, Subcutaneous
Associated long-acting platforms
Aqueous drug particle suspension
Use of drug
- Administered by a nurse
- Administered by a specialty health worker
- Administered by a community health worker
- Self-administered
- To be determined
- Daily
- Monthly
- Every 2 months
- Other/Variable/Unknown : Other investigated formulations may provide additional dosing frequencies
- Every 4 months
Dosage
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Associated compounds, formulations and regimens
CAB 6 times a year (CAB-LA; Cabotegravir 2-monthly)
Cabotegravir + Lenacapavir
Cabotegravir + Rilpivirine
Cabotegravir 3 times a year (CAB 4M)
cabotegravir PH20
Associated technologies
CompareTunable Biodegradable Ultra-Long-Acting Polymeric Solid Implant (PSI)
Ultra-Long-Acting Multi-Purpose In-situ Forming Implant (ISFI)
DelSiTech Silica Matrix Drug Delivery
Peptide-like hydrogels as a long-acting injectable drug delivery platform
LYNX
Nanocrystalline Prodrug Technology
Additional information
Cabotegravir for PrEP is included in WHO guidelines. CAB+RPV LA injectable for treatment, is also recommended by WHO to be used as an alternative switching option for adults and adolescents with undetectable HIV viral load on oral ART and without active hepatitis B infection : https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/guidelines
ViiV Healthcare and Medicines Patent Pool have signed a voluntary licensing agreement to enable access to long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV PrEP and HIV treatment : https://medicinespatentpool.org/
Developer(s)
ViiV Healthcare
ViiV Healthcare is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of therapies for HIV infection. The company is headquartered in Brentford in the United Kingdom and was initially formed in November 2009 as a part of a joint venture between GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.
Drug structure
Scale-up and manufacturing prospects
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Excipients & delivery device(s)
Mannitol (E421), polysorbate 20, macrogol 3350, water for injectable preparations ad solutionem pro 1 ml.
No novel excipient or existing excipient used
No residual solvent used
No delivery device
Safety, Efficacy and Evidence Summary
Not provided
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