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WO2020254985 patent

VH-499 (VH-4011499)


Developer(s)

ViiV Healthcare

Originator
https://viivhealthcare.com/

United Kingdom

ViiV Healthcare (ViiV), a subsidiary of GSK plc, is a research company. It researches and develops the use of HIV medicines. The company offers nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and CCR5 antagonists for the treatment of HIV.

GSK plc

Originator
https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/home/

United Kingdom

GSK plc is a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. It was established in 2000 by a merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, which was itself a merger of a number of pharmaceutical companies around the Smith, Kline & French firm. It is headquartered in London, England.

Shionogi & Co., Ltd

Originator
https://www.shionogi.com/

Japan

From 20 January 2026, Shionogi & Co will hold subsidary stake in ViiV healthcare ltd. Shinogi is a drug discovery-based pharmaceutical company to create innovative products and services and to deliver value in collaboration with a diverse array of partners.


Drug structure

dezecapavir (VH-499;VH-4011499)

dezecapavir (VH-499;VH-4011499)

WO2020254985 patent


Drug information

Associated long-acting platforms

Unknown

Administration route

Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Oral

Therapeutic area(s)

HIV

Use case(s)

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Treatment
Prevention

Use of drug

Ease of administration

Administered by a community health worker
Administered by a nurse
Administered by a specialty health worker
Self-administered

Frequency of administration

Every 6 months
Yearly
Every 4 months

User acceptance

In the Phase 1 trial, injection site pain of Grade 1 or Grade 2 severity was reported in 75% of participants who received VH-499. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported.

Dosage

Available dose and strength

100, 200, and 400 mg IM or SC

Maximum dose

VH-499 400 mg long-acting injection (IM or SC)

Recommended dosing regimen

VH-4011499 is 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg, administered via subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injection.

Additional comments

The recommended dose and dosing regimen were derived from the interim results of clinical trial NCT06724640.

Dosage link(s)

Not provided


Drug information

Drug's link(s)

Not provided

Generic name

VH-4011499

Brand name

Not provided

Compound type

Small molecule

Drug class/category

HIV-1 Capsid inhibitor

Summary

VH-499 is an investigational drug currently in clinical development for long-acting HIV-1 treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis. It functions via a multistage mechanism of action inhibiting both early and late HIV-1 replication. VH-499 has shown potent antiviral activity against a broad range of HIV-1 lab strains and clinical isolates at picomolar EC50 levels. Pre-existing resistance to this inhibitor is thought to have a low likelihood. The geometric mean half-life was estimated to have a range 51-66 hours. Interim results of NCT06724640 shows that median time to maximum VH-499 concentration (tmax) was approximately 7 to 18 days post-dose for IM; tmax was approximately 112 days post-dose for SC due to slower absorption. Maximum VH-499 concentrations were lower for SC compared to IM.

Approval status

Compound is currently in clinical development and not yet approved in any jurisdiction.

Regulatory authorities

Not approved yet.

Delivery device(s)

Not provided


Scale-up and manufacturing prospects

Scale-up prospects

Not provided

Tentative equipment list for manufacturing

Not provided

Manufacturing

Not provided

Specific analytical instrument required for characterization of formulation

Not provided


Clinical trials

CINNAMON

Identifier

NCT06039579

Link

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06039579

Phase

Phase II

Status

Completed

Sponsor

ViiV Healthcare

More details

The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the antiviral activity of orally administered VH4004280 and VH4011499 monotherapy over 10 days in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infected Treatment-Naïve (TN) participants.

Purpose

Proof of Concept Treatment Study of Orally Administered VH4004280 or VH4011499 in HIV-1 Infected Adults

Interventions

Intervention 1

Drug: VH4004280

Intervention 2

Drug: VH4011499

Intervention 3

Drug: VH4004280 Matching Placebo

Intervention 4

Drug: VH4011499 Matching Placebo

Countries

United States of America
Argentina
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Mexico
Spain
United Kingdom

Sites / Institutions

Not provided

Trials dates

Anticipated Start Date
Not provided

Actual Start Date
2023-10-25

Anticipated Date of Last Follow-up
2024-09-17

Estimated Primary Completion Date
Not provided

Estimated Completion Date
Not provided

Actual Primary Completion Date
2024-06-24

Actual Completion Date
2024-06-24

Studied populations

Age Cohort

  • Adults
  • Older Adults

Genders

  • All

Accepts pregnant individuals
No

Accepts lactating individuals
No

Accepts healthy individuals
No

Comments about the studied populations

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants who are overtly healthy (other than HIV-1 infection). * Screening cluster of differentiation-4 (CD4+) T-cell count greater than or equal to (≥)200 cells/microliter (µL). * Documented HIV-1 infection and Screening plasma HIV-1 RNA ≥3000 copies/milliliter (mL). * Treatment-naïve: Defined as no antiretroviral therapy received after the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection. Prior use of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP) is permitted. Prior use of parenteral PreP is exclusionary. * Has body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5-31.0 kilograms per meter square (kg/m\^2). * Participants male at birth must use male condoms and participants female at birth who are of childbearing potential must be using acceptable forms of birth control.

Health status

Positive to : HIV
Negative to : HCV, HBV

Study type

Interventional (clinical trial)

Enrollment

44

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention model

Parallel Assignment

Intervention model description

Not provided

Masking

Double-blind masking

Masking description

Double (Participant, Investigator)

Frequency of administration

Once

Studied LA-formulation(s)

Not provided

Studied route(s) of administration

Oral

Use case

Treatment

Key resources

Type Title Content Link
Link Proof of concept study of orally administered VH4004280 or VH4011499 in HIV-1 infected adults https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/proof-of-concept-study-of-orally-administered-vh4004280-or-vh4011499-in-hiv-1-infected-adults/

218547

Identifier

NCT06724640

Link

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06724640

Phase

Phase I

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

ViiV Healthcare

More details

The purpose of this study is to investigate safety and tolerability following single ascending subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) doses of VH4011499 in participants without HIV. The study will also describe the pharmacokinetics following single ascending SC and IM doses of VH4011499 in participants without HIV.

Purpose

A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of VH4011499 Compared to Placebo in Adults Without HIV

Interventions

Intervention 1

Drug: VH4011499 Injection (subcutaneous or intramuscular)

Intervention 2

Drug: Placebo for VH4011499 Injection

Countries

United States of America

Sites / Institutions

Not provided

Trials dates

Anticipated Start Date
Not provided

Actual Start Date
2024-12-16

Anticipated Date of Last Follow-up
2025-05-12

Estimated Primary Completion Date
2028-08-16

Estimated Completion Date
2028-08-16

Actual Primary Completion Date
Not provided

Actual Completion Date
Not provided

Studied populations

Age Cohort

  • Adults

Genders

  • All

Accepts pregnant individuals
Unspecified

Accepts lactating individuals
Unspecified

Accepts healthy individuals
Yes

Comments about the studied populations

Inclusion Criteria: * Participant must be 18 to 55 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent. * Participants who are overtly healthy. * Male or female of non-childbearing potential. * Capable of giving signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History or presence of cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematological, neurological or psychiatric disorders capable of significantly altering the absorption, metabolism, or elimination of drugs; constituting a risk when taking the study intervention or interfering with the interpretation of data. * Abnormal blood pressure. * Lymphoma, leukemia, or any malignancy within the past 5 years except for basal cell or squamous epithelial carcinomas of the skin that have been resected

Health status

Negative to : HCV, HBV, HIV
Considered at low risk of : HIV

Study type

Interventional (clinical trial)

Enrollment

168

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention model

Sequential assignment

Intervention model description

Not provided

Masking

Double-blind masking

Masking description

Double (Participant, Investigator)

Frequency of administration

Once

Studied LA-formulation(s)

Injectable

Studied route(s) of administration

Subcutaneous
Intramuscular

Use case

Treatment

Key resources

Not provided

222420

Identifier

NCT06368986

Link

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06368986

Phase

Phase I

Status

Completed

Sponsor

ViiV Healthcare

More details

The purpose of this study is to evaluate effect of food (in fasted and fed conditions) on the bioavailability of CAI VH4011499.

Purpose

A Study to Investigate the Effect of Food on the Bioavailability of a Capsid Inhibitor (CAI) in Male and Female Healthy Participants

Interventions

Intervention 1

Drug: VH4011499 Dose A

Intervention 2

Drug: VH4011499 Dose B

Countries

United States of America

Sites / Institutions

Not provided

Trials dates

Anticipated Start Date
Not provided

Actual Start Date
2024-04-17

Anticipated Date of Last Follow-up
2025-02-13

Estimated Primary Completion Date
Not provided

Estimated Completion Date
Not provided

Actual Primary Completion Date
2024-10-02

Actual Completion Date
2024-10-02

Studied populations

Age Cohort

  • Adults

Genders

  • All

Accepts pregnant individuals
No

Accepts lactating individuals
No

Accepts healthy individuals
Yes

Comments about the studied populations

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants who are 18 to 55 years of age. * Participants who are overtly healthy. * One SARs-CoV-2 negative test is required prior to dosing * Body weight within 50-100 kg and body mass index (BMI) within the range 19-32 kg/m2 (inclusive). * Capable of giving signed informed consent. * Participants male at birth must use male condoms, and participants female at birth who are of childbearing potential must be using acceptable forms of birth control.

Health status

Negative to : HIV, HCV, HBV, COVID 19

Study type

Interventional (clinical trial)

Enrollment

60

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention model

Parallel Assignment

Intervention model description

Not provided

Masking

Open label

Masking description

None (Open Label)

Frequency of administration

Not provided

Studied LA-formulation(s)

Not provided

Studied route(s) of administration

Not provided

Use case

Unspecified

Key resources

Not provided

218306

Identifier

NCT06012136

Link

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06012136

Phase

Phase I

Status

Active, not recruiting

Sponsor

ViiV Healthcare

More details

The primary purpose of the study is to investigate safety and tolerability following single ascending subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) doses of capsid inhibitors in healthy participants. The study will also describe the pharmacokinetics following single ascending SC and IM doses of capsid inhibitors in healthy participants.

Purpose

A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of a Single Suspension Injection of Investigational Capsid Inhibitors Compared to Placebo in Healthy Adults

Interventions

Intervention 1

Drug: VH4004280

Intervention 2

Drug: VH4011499 administered either SC, SC+ rHuPH20, or IM.

Intervention 3

Drug: Placebo

Countries

United States of America

Sites / Institutions

Not provided

Trials dates

Anticipated Start Date
Not provided

Actual Start Date
2023-08-24

Anticipated Date of Last Follow-up
2025-04-17

Estimated Primary Completion Date
2026-09-02

Estimated Completion Date
2026-09-02

Actual Primary Completion Date
Not provided

Actual Completion Date
Not provided

Studied populations

Age Cohort

  • Adults

Genders

  • All

Accepts pregnant individuals
Unspecified

Accepts lactating individuals
Unspecified

Accepts healthy individuals
Yes

Comments about the studied populations

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants who are overtly healthy. * Participants who are negative on a single test for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (approved molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR), point of care test), performed on the day of admission (Day -1). A negative result is required prior to the administration of study intervention on Day 1. * Male or female participants of non-childbearing potential. * Capable of giving signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History or presence of cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematological, neurological or psychiatric disorders capable of significantly altering the absorption, metabolism, or elimination of drugs.

Health status

Considered at low risk of : HIV
Negative to : HIV, COVID 19

Study type

Interventional (clinical trial)

Enrollment

208

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention model

Sequential assignment

Intervention model description

Not provided

Masking

Double-blind masking

Masking description

Double (Participant, Investigator)

Frequency of administration

Once

Studied LA-formulation(s)

Injectable

Studied route(s) of administration

Subcutaneous
Intramuscular

Use case

Treatment

Key resources

Type Title Content Link
Link Proof-of-Concept Trial of Oral VH4011499 (VH-499), a New HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitor https://www.natap.org/2025/CROI/croi_29.htm

218490

Identifier

NCT05393271

Link

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05393271

Phase

Phase I

Status

Completed

Sponsor

ViiV Healthcare

More details

This FTIH study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability and PK of the novel investigational Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 capsid inhibitor VH4011499 in healthy adults. The study will be conducted in 3 parts: Part 1 will investigate single ascending doses (SAD) and Part 2 will investigate multiple ascending doses (MAD). Part 3 will investigate single dose of a new formulation of VH4011499. The transition from SAD to MAD will be based on the assessment of the Safety and Dose Escalation Committee.

Purpose

First-Time-in-Human (FTIH) Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of VH4011499 in Healthy Participants

Interventions

Intervention 1

Drug: VH4011499

Intervention 2

Drug: Placebo

Intervention 3

Drug: Midazolam

Countries

United States of America

Sites / Institutions

Not provided

Trials dates

Anticipated Start Date
Not provided

Actual Start Date
2022-10-03

Anticipated Date of Last Follow-up
2025-03-31

Estimated Primary Completion Date
Not provided

Estimated Completion Date
Not provided

Actual Primary Completion Date
2023-04-24

Actual Completion Date
2023-04-24

Studied populations

Age Cohort

  • Adults

Genders

  • All

Accepts pregnant individuals
Unspecified

Accepts lactating individuals
Unspecified

Accepts healthy individuals
Yes

Comments about the studied populations

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants who are overtly healthy. * Participants must have two consecutive Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARs-CoV-2) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative results prior to dosing. * Participants must have body weight \> 50 kilograms (kg) and body mass index (BMI) within the range 19-32 kilograms per meter square (kg/m^2). * Male or female participants (either of non-childbearing potential or of child-bearing potential and using acceptable contraception). * Capable of giving signed informed consent.

Health status

Negative to : HIV, COVID 19

Study type

Interventional (clinical trial)

Enrollment

73

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention model

Sequential assignment

Intervention model description

This is a double-blind (sponsor unblinded) study.

Masking

Double-blind masking

Masking description

Double (Participant, Investigator)

Frequency of administration

Once

Studied LA-formulation(s)

Not provided

Studied route(s) of administration

Oral

Use case

Treatment

Key resources

Type Title Content Link
Publication Thakkar N, Griesel R, Pierce A, et al. Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Orally Administered VH4011499, a New HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitor, in Adults Without HIV. Infect Dis Ther. Published online April 2, 2025. doi:10.1007/s40121-025-01129-y Introduction: This first-time-in-human study describes the pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interaction potential, and safety of VH4011499 (VH-499), a new HIV-1 capsid inhibitor.Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study evaluated VH-499 in adults without HIV administered orally as single ascending doses as powder-in-bottle (PiB; part 1) and tablet (part 3) formulations and as multiple ascending doses as PiB formulation dosed once daily for 14 days (part 2). Midazolam was used to evaluate the effect of VH-499 on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity (part 2).Results: Overall, 73 participants were included (VH-499, n = 56; placebo, n = 17). VH-499 plasma exposures were less than dose-proportional, with median time to maximum observed concentration of 8.0-12.0 h for the PiB formulation and 24.0 h for the tablet formulation. Geometric mean terminal half-life was 51.2-66.5 h (2-3 days). The tablet formulation resulted in 45-63% lower exposures compared with PiB. Concomitant midazolam administration after single and multiple VH-499 doses did not lead to clinically significant changes in midazolam or 1-hydroxymidazolam exposures; therefore, VH-499 is not expected to inhibit or induce CYP3A4. VH-499 was well tolerated. Adverse event (AE) frequency was comparable between placebo and VH-499 groups. VH-499-related AEs were predominantly grade 1. No serious AEs across VH-499 groups, AEs leading to withdrawal from drug/study, or deaths occurred. There were no trends in vital signs, electrocardiograms, or laboratory hematology parameters and no clinically relevant changes in chemistry parameters.Conclusion: First-time-in-human data further characterize the pharmacokinetics of orally administered VH-499 and provide support for development of VH-499 as part of a complete long-acting regimen for HIV-1 treatment and prevention.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05393271.

Excipients

Proprietary excipients used

Not provided

Novel excipients or existing excipients at a concentration above Inactive Ingredients Database (IID) for the specified route of administration

Not provided

Residual solvents used

Not provided


Patent info

Description

Dezecapavir (formula Id) composition solution, comprising PEG

Brief description

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is set forth. (Formula Ia), (Formula Ib), (Formula Ic), (Formula Id)

Representative patent

WO2021209900

Category

Formulation

Patent holder

VIIV HEALTHCARE UK

Exclusivity

Not provided

Expiration date

April 13, 2041

Status

Pending: AU, BR, CA, CL, CN, EP, IL, JP, KR, MY, MX, RU, ZA, US, VN

Description

Dezecapavir (VH4011499) compound

Brief description

The invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. More particularly, the invention provides novel inhibitors of HIV, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HIV infection. The invention also relates to methods for making the compounds hereinafter described.

Representative patent

WO2020254985

Category

Compound

Patent holder

VIIV HEALTHCARE UK

Exclusivity

Not provided

Expiration date

June 17, 2040

Status

Granted: AU, CN, DZ, EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, TJ, TM), EP (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR, BA, ME, MA, MD), IL, IN, MX, NG, RU, SG, UA, US Pending: AR, BR, CA, CL, CO, CR, DO, EG, GC, HK, ID, JP, KR, MY, NZ, PK, PA, PE, PH, ZA, TW, TH, TT, UY, VE, VN


Supporting material

Publications

Thakkar N, Griesel R, Pierce A, et al. Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Orally Administered VH4011499, a New HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitor, in Adults Without HIV. Infect Dis Ther. Published online April 2, 2025. doi:10.1007/s40121-025-01129-y

Introduction: This first-time-in-human study describes the pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interaction potential, and safety of VH4011499 (VH-499), a new HIV-1 capsid inhibitor.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study evaluated VH-499 in adults without HIV administered orally as single ascending doses as powder-in-bottle (PiB; part 1) and tablet (part 3) formulations and as multiple ascending doses as PiB formulation dosed once daily for 14 days (part 2). Midazolam was used to evaluate the effect of VH-499 on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity (part 2).

Results: Overall, 73 participants were included (VH-499, n = 56; placebo, n = 17). VH-499 plasma exposures were less than dose-proportional, with median time to maximum observed concentration of 8.0-12.0 h for the PiB formulation and 24.0 h for the tablet formulation. Geometric mean terminal half-life was 51.2-66.5 h (2-3 days). The tablet formulation resulted in 45-63% lower exposures compared with PiB. Concomitant midazolam administration after single and multiple VH-499 doses did not lead to clinically significant changes in midazolam or 1-hydroxymidazolam exposures; therefore, VH-499 is not expected to inhibit or induce CYP3A4. VH-499 was well tolerated. Adverse event (AE) frequency was comparable between placebo and VH-499 groups. VH-499-related AEs were predominantly grade 1. No serious AEs across VH-499 groups, AEs leading to withdrawal from drug/study, or deaths occurred. There were no trends in vital signs, electrocardiograms, or laboratory hematology parameters and no clinically relevant changes in chemistry parameters.

Conclusion: First-time-in-human data further characterize the pharmacokinetics of orally administered VH-499 and provide support for development of VH-499 as part of a complete long-acting regimen for HIV-1 treatment and prevention.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05393271.

Umumararungu T, Nyandwi JB, Katandula J, et al. Current status of the small molecule anti-HIV drugs in the pipeline or recently approvedBioorg Med Chem. 2024;111:117860. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117860

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) with high morbidity and mortality rates. Treatment of AIDS/HIV is being complicated by increasing resistance to currently used antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, mainly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to drug misuse, poor drug supply and poor treatment monitoring. However, progress has been made in the development of new ARV drugs, targeting different HIV components (Fig. 1). This review aims at presenting and discussing the progress made towards the discovery of new ARVs that are at different stages of clinical trials as of July 2024. For each compound, the mechanism of action, target biomolecule, genes associated with resistance, efficacy and safety, class, and phase of clinical trial are discussed. These compounds include analogues of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) - islatravir and censavudine; non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) - Rilpivirine, elsulfavirine and doravirine; integrase inhibitors namely cabotegravir and dolutegravir and chemokine coreceptors 5 and 2 (CC5/CCR2) antagonists for example cenicriviroc. Also, fostemsavir is being developed as an attachment inhibitor while lenacapavir, VH4004280 and VH4011499 are capsid inhibitors. Others are maturation inhibitors such as GSK-254, GSK3532795, GSK3739937, GSK2838232, and other compounds labelled as miscellaneous (do not belong to the classical groups of anti-HIV drugs or to the newer classes) such as obefazimod and BIT225. There is a considerable progress in the development of new anti-HIV drugs and the effort will continue since HIV infections has no cure or vaccine till now. Efforts are needed to reduce the toxicity of available drugs or discover new drugs with new classes which can delay the development of resistance.


N. Thakkar et al. Injectable HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitor VH4011499 (VH-499) Formulation Supports Ultra-Long-Acting Dosing. Presented at the 33rd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). February 2026.

Background: The HIV-1 capsid inhibitor VH4011499 (VH-499) is currently in development as a long-acting antiretroviral agent for HIV-1. In a proof-ofconcept study, oral VH-499 demonstrated rapid and potent antiviral activity in people with HIV-1 and was well tolerated. Here we present safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) findings from a first-time-in-human study assessing the ultra-long-acting (ULA) potential of an injectable VH-499 formulation. Methods: In this double-blind (sponsor-unblinded) ongoing phase 1 study (NCT06724640), we randomized participants without HIV-1 to receive single ascending intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) doses of VH-499 (100, 200, or 400 mg evaluated herein) or placebo. Safety and PK data were collected post-dose. Single-dose PK parameters using available data were evaluated by non-compartmental analyses. Results: Overall, 48 participants received VH-499 or placebo as an IM or SC injection (6 groups total, n=8 each). Median age was 36 years, 94% of participants were male, and 40% identified as non-White. Most adverse events (AEs) had a maximum grade of 1 or 2 in severity across all treatment groups. VH-499–related AEs were primarily injection site reactions (ISRs), most frequently injection site pain (27/36; 75%). Median overall ISR event duration ranged from 1 to 3 days across all groups. Frequency of VH-499–related ISRswas higher in SC vs IM groups (83%-100% vs 33%-83%). No participants withdrew for safety reasons. No serious AEs were reported. Based on preliminary PK analysis, median time to maximum VH-499 concentration (tmax) was approximately 7 to 18 days post-dose for IM; tmax was approximately 112 days post-dose for SC due to slower absorption (Figure). Maximum VH-499 concentrations were lower after SC administration compared with IM at all doses. Given the relatively flat VH-499 PK profile for both IM and SC routes, no terminal half-life could be identified based on available data, and longer-term PK data are required. Conclusions: Both IM and SC single-dose injections of VH-499 were well tolerated and demonstrated slower absorption through SC administration in people without HIV-1. These results suggest that the long-acting injectable VH-499 formulation has the potential to support ULA (ie, ≥4 months) dosing intervals, and either healthcare provider or self-administration could be feasible. Model-informed drug development approaches using emerging PK and safety data from this study will help to optimize the design of the future development of VH-499.

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