Cabenuva

 Dosage and Administration Overview

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CABENUVA contains cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial and rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial [see Dosage Forms and Strengths ].

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CABENUVA must be administered by a healthcare provider by gluteal intramuscular injection [see Dosage and Administration ].

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CABENUVA may be initiated with oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine prior to the intramuscular injections or the patient may proceed directly to injection of CABENUVA without an oral lead-in [see Dosage and Administration ].

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CABENUVA can be injected monthly or every 2 months [see Dosage and Administration ]. Healthcare providers should discuss these 2 dosing options with the patient prior to starting CABENUVA and decide which injection dosing frequency would be the most appropriate option for the patient [see Adverse Reactions , Microbiology , Clinical Studies ].

 Adherence to CABENUVA

Prior to starting CABENUVA, healthcare providers should carefully select patients who agree to the required monthly or every‑2-month injection dosing schedule and counsel patients about the importance of adherence to scheduled dosing visits to help maintain viral suppression and reduce the risk of viral rebound and potential development of resistance with missed doses [see Dosage and Administration , Warnings and Precautions , Microbiology ].

 Optional Oral Lead-In Dosing to Assess Tolerability of CABENUVA in Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older and Weighing at Least 35 kg

The healthcare provider and patient may decide to use an oral lead-in with oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine prior to the initiation of CABENUVA to assess the tolerability of cabotegravir and rilpivirine, or the healthcare provider and patient may proceed directly to injection of CABENUVA without the use of an oral lead-in.

If oral lead-in is used, the recommended oral lead-in daily dose is one 30-mg tablet of VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and one 25-mg tablet of EDURANT (rilpivirine) taken with a meal for approximately 1 month (at least 28 days), followed by intramuscular initiation injections of CABENUVA. See Tables 1 and 2 for recommended oral lead-in and monthly or every-2-month intramuscular injection dosing schedule for CABENUVA [see Dosage and Administration ].

 Recommended Monthly Gluteal Intramuscular Injection Dosing with CABENUVA in Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older and Weighing at Least 35 kg

Initiation Injections (CABENUVA 600-mg/900-mg Kit)

Initiate injections on the last day of current antiretroviral therapy or oral lead-in, if used [see Dosage and Administration ]. The recommended initiation injection doses of CABENUVA are a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine. Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration ]. Continuation injections should be initiated a month after the initiation injections.

Continuation Injections (CABENUVA 400-mg/600-mg Kit)

After the initiation injections, the recommended monthly continuation injection doses of CABENUVA are a single 400-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 600-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine at each visit . Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration ]. Patients may be given CABENUVA up to 7 days before or after the date the patient is scheduled to receive monthly injections.

 Recommended Every-2-Month Gluteal Intramuscular Injection Dosing with CABENUVA in Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older and Weighing at Least 35 kg

Initiation Injections (CABENUVA 600-mg/900-mg Kit)

Initiate injections on the last day of current antiretroviral therapy or oral lead-in, if used [see Dosage and Administration ]. The recommended initiation injection doses of CABENUVA are a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine 1 month apart for 2 consecutive months . Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration ]. Patients may be given CABENUVA up to 7 days before or after the date the patient is scheduled to receive the second initiation injections.

Continuation Injections (CABENUVA 600-mg/900-mg Kit)

After the 2 initiation doses given consecutively 1 month apart (Months 1 and 2), the recommended continuation injection doses (Month 4 onwards) of CABENUVA are a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine administered every 2 months . Administer cabotegravir and rilpivirine at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration ]. Patients may be given CABENUVA up to 7 days before or after the date the patient is scheduled to receive the injections.

 Dosing Recommendations When Switching from Monthly to Every-2-Month Intramuscular Injections

Patients switching from a monthly continuation injection schedule (a single 400-mg [2-mL] gluteal intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 600-mg [2-mL] intramuscular injection of rilpivirine) to an every-2-month continuation injection dosing schedule should receive a single 600-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine administered 1 month after the last monthly continuation injections and then every 2 months thereafter. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections should be administered at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration ].

 Dosing Recommendations When Switching from Every-2-Month to Monthly Intramuscular Injections

Patients switching from an every-2-month continuation injection schedule (a single 600-mg [3-mL] intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg [3-mL] intramuscular injection of rilpivirine) to a monthly continuation dosing schedule should receive a single 400-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 600-mg (2-mL) intramuscular injection of rilpivirine 2 months after the last every-2‑month continuation injection and then monthly thereafter. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections should be administered at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit [see Dosage and Administration ].

 Recommended Dosing Schedule for Missed Injections

Adherence to the injection dosing schedule is strongly recommended [see Dosage and Administration ]. Patients who miss a scheduled injection visit should be clinically reassessed to ensure resumption of therapy remains appropriate. Refer to Table 3 for dosing recommendations after missed injections.

Planned Missed Injections for Patients on the Monthly Dosing Schedule

If a patient plans to miss a scheduled injection visit by more than 7 days, VOCABRIA in combination with EDURANT once daily may be used for up to 2 months to replace missed injection visits, or any other fully suppressive oral antiretroviral regimen may be used until injections are resumed. The recommended oral daily dose is one 30-mg tablet of VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and one 25-mg tablet of EDURANT (rilpivirine). Take VOCABRIA with EDURANT at approximately the same time each day with a meal.

The first dose of oral therapy should be taken 1 month (+/-7 days) after the last injection dose of CABENUVA and continued until the day injection dosing is restarted. Refer to Table 3 for injection dosing recommendations. For oral therapy with VOCABRIA and EDURANT of durations greater than 2 months, an alternative oral regimen is recommended.

Unplanned Missed Injections for Patients on the Monthly Dosing Schedule

If monthly injections are missed or delayed by more than 7 days and oral therapy has not been taken in the interim, clinically reassess the patient to determine if resumption of injection dosing remains appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions ]. If injection dosing will be continued, see Table 3 for dosing recommendations.

Planned Missed Injections for Patients on the Every-2-Month Dosing Schedule

If a patient plans to miss a scheduled injection visit by more than 7 days, VOCABRIA in combination with EDURANT once daily may be used for up to 2 months to replace 1 missed injection visit, or any other fully suppressive oral antiretroviral regimen may be used until injections are resumed. The recommended oral daily dose is one 30‑mg tablet of VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and one 25‑mg tablet of EDURANT (rilpivirine). Take VOCABRIA with EDURANT at approximately the same time each day with a meal.

The first dose of oral therapy should be taken approximately 2 months after the last injection dose of CABENUVA and continued until the day injection dosing is restarted. Refer to Table 4 for injection dosing recommendations. For oral therapy with VOCABRIA and EDURANT of durations greater than 2 months, an alternative oral regimen is recommended.

Unplanned Missed Injections for Patients on the Every-2-Month Dosing Schedule

If a scheduled every-2-month injection visit is missed or delayed by more than 7 days and oral therapy has not been taken in the interim, clinically reassess the patient to determine if resumption of injection dosing remains appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions ]. If the every-2‑month dosing schedule will be continued, see Table 4 for dosing recommendations.

 Administration Instructions for Injections

Refer to the Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions with illustrations. Carefully follow these instructions and ensure that the vial adaptor is used correctly when preparing the suspension for injection to avoid leakage.

A complete dose requires 2 injections: 1 injection of cabotegravir and 1 injection of rilpivirine [see Dosage and Administration ].

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are suspensions for gluteal intramuscular injection that do not need further dilution or reconstitution.

Administer each injection at separate gluteal injection sites (on opposite sides or at least 2 cm apart) during the same visit. The ventrogluteal site is recommended. A dorsogluteal approach (upper outer quadrant) is acceptable, if preferred by the healthcare professional. Do not administer by any other route or anatomical site. Consider the body mass index (BMI) of the patient to ensure that the needle length is sufficient to reach the gluteus muscle. Longer needle lengths (not included in the dosing kit) may be required for patients with higher BMI (example: >30 kg/m2) to ensure that injections are administered intramuscularly as opposed to subcutaneously. The administration order of cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections is not important.

Before preparing the injections, remove CABENUVA from the refrigerator and wait at least 15 minutes to allow the medicines to come to room temperature. The vials may remain in the carton at room temperature for up to 6 hours; do not put back into the refrigerator. If not used within 6 hours, the medication must be discarded.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. The cabotegravir vial has a brown tint to the glass that may limit visual inspection. Discard CABENUVA if either medicine exhibits particulate matter or discoloration.

Shake each vial of CABENUVA vigorously so that the suspensions look uniform before injecting. Small air bubbles are expected and acceptable.

Once the suspensions have been drawn into the respective syringes, the injections should be administered as soon as possible, but may remain in the syringes for up to 2 hours. The filled syringes should not be placed in the refrigerator. If the medicine remains in the syringes for more than 2 hours, the filled syringes and needles must be discarded [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling ].

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exposure Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to CABENUVA during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263.

Risk Summary

There are insufficient human data on the use of CABENUVA during pregnancy to adequately assess a drug-associated risk of birth defects and miscarriage. Discuss the benefit-risk of using CABENUVA with individuals of childbearing potential or during pregnancy.

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are detected in systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer after discontinuing injections of CABENUVA; therefore, consideration should be given to the potential for fetal exposure during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions ].

Cabotegravir use in pregnant individuals has not been evaluated. Available data from the APR show no difference in the overall risk of birth defects for rilpivirine compared with the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in a United States (U.S.) reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) (see Data).

The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. The background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. The background rate for major birth defects in a U.S. reference population of the MACDP is 2.7%. The estimated background rate of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies in the U.S. general population is 15% to 20%. The APR uses the MACDP as the U.S. reference population for birth defects in the general population. The MACDP evaluates mothers and infants from a limited geographic area and does not include outcomes for births that occurred at <20 weeks’ gestation.

In animal reproduction studies with oral cabotegravir, a delay in the onset of parturition and increased stillbirths and neonatal deaths were observed in a rat pre- and postnatal development study at >28 times the exposure at the recommended human dose (RHD). No evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed with oral cabotegravir in rats or rabbits (>28 times or similar to the exposure at the RHD, respectively) given during organogenesis (see  Data).

No adverse developmental outcomes were observed when rilpivirine was administered orally at exposures 15 (rats) and 70 (rabbits) times the exposure in humans at the RHD (see Data).

Clinical Considerations

Lower exposures with oral rilpivirine were observed during pregnancy. Viral load should be monitored closely if the patient remains on CABENUVA during pregnancy. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are detected in systemic circulation for up to 12 months or longer after discontinuing injections of CABENUVA; therefore, consideration should be given to the potential for fetal exposure during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions ].

Data

Human Data:

            Rilpivirine: Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 580 exposures to oral rilpivirine-containing regimens during the first trimester of pregnancy and over 200 during second/third trimester of pregnancy, the prevalence of birth defects in live births was 1.5% (95% CI: 0.7% to 2.9%) and 1.5% (95% CI: 0.3% to 4.2%) following first and second/third trimester exposures, respectively, compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the MACDP. In a clinical trial, total oral rilpivirine exposures were generally lower during pregnancy compared with the postpartum period. Refer to the prescribing information for EDURANT (rilpivirine) for additional information on rilpivirine.

Animal Data: Cabotegravir: Cabotegravir was administered orally to pregnant rats at 0, 0.5, 5, or 1,000 mg/kg/day from 15 days before cohabitation, during cohabitation, and from Gestation Days 0 to 17. There were no effects on fetal viability when fetuses were delivered by caesarean, although a minor decrease in fetal body weight was observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day (>28 times the exposure in humans at the RHD). No drug-related fetal toxicities were observed at 5 mg/kg/day (approximately 13 times the exposure in humans at the RHD), and no drug-related fetal malformations were observed at any dose.

Cabotegravir was administered orally to pregnant rabbits at 0, 30, 500, or 2,000 mg/kg/day from Gestation Days 7 to 19. No drug-related fetal toxicities were observed at 2,000 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the exposure in humans at the RHD).

In a rat pre- and postnatal development study, cabotegravir was administered orally to pregnant rats at 0, 0.5, 5, or 1,000 mg/kg/day from Gestation Day 6 to Lactation Day 21. A delay in the onset of parturition and increases in the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths by Lactation Day 4 were observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day (>28 times the exposure in humans at the RHD); there were no alterations to growth and development of surviving offspring. In a cross-fostering study, similar incidences of stillbirths and early postnatal deaths were observed when rat pups born to cabotegravir-treated mothers were nursed from birth by control mothers. There was no effect on neonatal survival of control pups nursed from birth by cabotegravir-treated mothers. A lower dose of 5 mg/kg/day (13 times the exposure at the RHD) was not associated with delayed parturition or neonatal mortality in rats. Studies in pregnant rats showed that cabotegravir crosses the placenta and can be detected in fetal tissue.

            Rilpivirine: Rilpivirine was administered orally to pregnant rats (40, 120, or 400 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day) through organogenesis (on Gestation Days 6 through 17 and 6 through 19, respectively). No significant toxicological effects were observed in embryo-fetal toxicity studies performed with rilpivirine in rats and rabbits at exposures 15 (rats) and 70 (rabbits) times the exposure in humans at the RHD. In a pre- and postnatal development study, rilpivirine was administered orally up to 400 mg/kg/day through lactation. No adverse effects were noted in the offspring at maternal exposures up to 63 times the exposure in humans at the RHD.

 Lactation

Risk Summary

Based on limited data after oral administration, rilpivirine is present in human breast milk. The data do not allow determination of the amount of rilpivirine that is transferred to milk. There are no data on the presence of cabotegravir in human milk. Cabotegravir is present in animal milk (see Data). When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. It is not known if the components of CABENUVA affect human milk production or have effects on the breastfed infant. Residual exposures in human milk of cabotegravir (if present) and rilpivirine may remain for 12 months or longer after the last injections have been administered [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Potential risks of breastfeeding include: (1) HIV‑1 transmission (in HIV-1–negative infants), (2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-1–positive infants), and (3) adverse reactions in a breastfed infant similar to those seen in adults.

Data

Cabotegravir: Animal lactation studies with cabotegravir have not been conducted. However, cabotegravir was detected in the plasma of nursing pups on Lactation Day 10 in the rat pre- and postnatal development study.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of CABENUVA have been established in adolescents aged 12 to younger than 18 years and weighing at least 35 kg, which is supported by the following:

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Trials in adults [see Clinical Studies ]

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MOCHA (NCT03497676) trial in adolescents, in which virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV-1 (aged 12 to younger than 18 years and weighing at least 35 kg) received either cabotegravir or rilpivirine in addition to their background antiretroviral regimen (cohort 1), or cabotegravir plus rilpivirine as a complete regimen (cohort 2) [see Adverse Reactions , Clinical Pharmacology , Clinical Studies ].

The safety and efficacy in adolescents (aged 12 to younger than 18 years and weighing at least 35 kg) were similar to that in adults and there was no clinically significant change in exposure for the components of CABENUVA [see Adverse Reactions ]. The efficacy of CABENUVA in adolescents is extrapolated from adults with support from pharmacokinetic analyses showing similar drug exposure and additional supportive efficacy data from the MOCHA study [see Clinical Pharmacology , Clinical Studies ].

The safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of CABENUVA have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age or weighing <35 kg.

Geriatric Use

Clinical trials of CABENUVA did not include sufficient numbers of participants aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger participants. In general, caution should be exercised in administration of CABENUVA in elderly patients, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

 Renal Impairment

Based on studies with oral cabotegravir and population pharmacokinetic analyses of oral rilpivirine, no dosage adjustment of CABENUVA is necessary for patients with mild (creatinine clearance ≥60 to <90 mL/min) or moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≥30 to <60 mL/min). In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15 to <30 mL/min) or end-stage renal disease (creatinine clearance <15 mL/min), increased monitoring for adverse effects is recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. In patients with end-stage renal disease not on dialysis, effects on the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir or rilpivirine are unknown. As cabotegravir and rilpivirine are >99% protein bound, dialysis is not expected to alter exposures of cabotegravir or rilpivirine.

 Hepatic Impairment

Based on separate studies with oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine, no dosage adjustment of CABENUVA is necessary for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A or B). The effect of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) on the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir or rilpivirine is unknown [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

 Hypersensitivity Reactions

Serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in association with other integrase inhibitors and during postmarketing experience with rilpivirine-containing regimens where reactions include cases of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) [see Adverse Reactions ]. While some skin reactions were accompanied by constitutional symptoms such as fever, other skin reactions were associated with organ dysfunctions, including elevations in hepatic serum biochemistries. Serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in association with other integrase inhibitors and could occur with CABENUVA [see Adverse Reactions ]. Administration of cabotegravir and rilpivirine oral lead-in dosing was used in clinical studies to help identify patients who may be at risk of a hypersensitivity reaction [see Dosage and Administration , Contraindications ]. Remain vigilant and discontinue CABENUVA if a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected [see Contraindications , Adverse Reactions ].

Discontinue CABENUVA immediately if signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions develop (including, but not limited to, severe rash, or rash accompanied by fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, mucosal involvement [oral blisters or lesions], conjunctivitis, facial edema, hepatitis, eosinophilia, angioedema, difficulty breathing). Clinical status, including liver transaminases, should be monitored and appropriate therapy initiated. For information regarding the long-acting properties of CABENUVA, [see Warnings and Precautions ]. Administer oral lead-in dosing prior to administration of CABENUVA to help identify patients who may be at risk of a hypersensitivity reaction [see Dosage and Administration , Contraindications ].

 Post-Injection Reactions

In clinical trials, serious post-injection reactions were reported within minutes after the injection of rilpivirine. These events included symptoms such as dyspnea, bronchospasm, agitation, abdominal cramping, rash/urticaria, dizziness, flushing, sweating, oral numbness, changes in blood pressure, and pain (e.g., back and chest). These events were reported in <1% of participants and began to resolve within minutes after the injection, with some patients receiving supportive care. These events may have been associated with accidental intravenous administration during the intramuscular injection procedure [see Adverse Reactions ].

Carefully follow the Instructions for Use when preparing and administering CABENUVA. The suspensions should be injected slowly via intramuscular injection, and care should be taken to avoid accidental intravenous administration [see Dosage and Administration ]. Observe patients briefly (approximately 10 minutes) after the injection. If a patient experiences a post-injection reaction, monitor and treat as clinically indicated.

 Hepatotoxicity

Hepatotoxicity has been reported in patients receiving cabotegravir or rilpivirine with or without known pre-existing hepatic disease or identifiable risk factors [see Adverse Reactions ].

Patients with underlying liver disease or marked elevations in transaminases prior to treatment may be at increased risk for worsening or development of transaminase elevations.

Monitoring of liver chemistries is recommended and treatment with CABENUVA should be discontinued if hepatotoxicity is suspected. For information regarding the long-acting properties of CABENUVA, [see Warnings and Precautions ].

 Depressive Disorders

Depressive disorders (including depressed mood, depression, major depression, mood altered, mood swings, dysphoria, negative thoughts, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt) have been reported with CABENUVA or the individual drug products [see Adverse Reactions ]. Promptly evaluate patients with depressive symptoms to assess whether the symptoms are related to CABENUVA and to determine whether the risks of continued therapy outweigh the benefits.

 Risk of Adverse Reactions or Loss of Virologic Response Due to Drug Interactions

The concomitant use of CABENUVA and other drugs may result in known or potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse events, loss of virologic response of CABENUVA, and possible development of viral resistance [see Contraindications , Drug Interactions ].

Rilpivirine 75-mg and 300-mg once-daily oral doses (3 and 12 times, respectively, the recommended oral dosage) in healthy adults prolonged the QTc interval with mean steady-state Cmax values 4.4- and 11.6-fold, respectively, higher than Cmax values associated with the recommended 600-mg monthly dose of rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension and 4.1- and 10.7-fold, respectively, higher than Cmax values associated with the recommended 900-mg every-2-month dose of rilpivirine extended‑release injectable suspension [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. CABENUVA should be used with caution in combination with drugs with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes [see Drug Interactions ].

See Table 8 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during therapy with, and after discontinuation of, CABENUVA; review concomitant medications during therapy with CABENUVA [see Drug Interactions ].

 Long-Acting Properties and Potential Associated Risks with CABENUVA

Residual concentrations of both cabotegravir and rilpivirine may remain in the systemic circulation of patients for prolonged periods (up to 12 months or longer). It is important to carefully select patients who agree to the required monthly or every-2-month injection dosing schedule because non-adherence to monthly or every-2-month injections or missed doses could lead to loss of virologic response and development of resistance [see Dosage and Administration , Adverse Reactions , Drug Interactions ].

To minimize the potential risk of developing viral resistance, it is essential to initiate an alternative, fully suppressive antiretroviral regimen no later than 1 month after the final injections of CABENUVA when dosed monthly and no later than 2 months after the final injections of CABENUVA when dosed every 2 months. If virologic failure is suspected, switch the patient to an alternative regimen as soon as possible.

 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice.

Clinical Trials Experience in Adults

The safety assessment of CABENUVA is based on the analysis of pooled 48-week data from 1,182 virologically suppressed participants with HIV-1 infection in 2 international, multicenter, open-label pivotal trials, FLAIR and ATLAS, and 1,045 virologically suppressed participants from the ATLAS-2M trial [see Clinical Studies ]. Additional safety information from other ongoing or earlier clinical trials in the cabotegravir and rilpivirine program have been considered in assessing the overall safety profile of CABENUVA.

Adverse reactions were reported following exposure to CABENUVA extended-release injectable suspensions (median time exposure at the time of analysis: 54 weeks in FLAIR and ATLAS, and 64 weeks in ATLAS-2M) and data from VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) tablets and EDURANT (rilpivirine) tablets administered in combination as oral lead-in therapy (median time exposure: 5.3 weeks in FLAIR and ATLAS, and 5.6 weeks in ATLAS-2M). Adverse reactions included those attributable to both the oral and injectable formulations of cabotegravir and rilpivirine administered as a combination regimen. Refer to the prescribing information for EDURANT (rilpivirine) for other adverse reactions associated with oral rilpivirine.

The most common adverse reactions regardless of severity reported in ≥2% of adult participants from FLAIR and ATLAS at Week 48 are presented in Table 5. Selected laboratory abnormalities are included in Table 7. At Week 96, the overall safety profile for FLAIR was consistent with that observed at Week 48, with no new safety findings identified.

In the extension phase of the FLAIR study at Week 124, the overall safety profile was consistent with that observed at Week 48 and when injection therapy with CABENUVA was initiated directly without the oral lead-in phase.

Overall, 4% of participants in the group receiving CABENUVA and 2% of participants in the control group in FLAIR and ATLAS discontinued due to adverse events. Non-injection-site-related adverse events leading to discontinuation and occurring in more than 1 participant were headache, diarrhea, hepatitis A, and acute hepatitis B (all with an incidence <1%). In ATLAS-2M, 2% of participants in both treatment groups discontinued due to adverse events. Non-injection-site–related adverse events leading to discontinuation and occurring in more than 1 participant in ATLAS-2M were fatigue, pyrexia, headache, presyncope, acute hepatitis B, hyperhidrosis, and abnormal dreams that occurred with an incidence of ≤1% in either treatment group.

In ATLAS-2M, the type and frequency of adverse reactions reported in participants receiving CABENUVA once monthly or CABENUVA once every 2 months for 48 weeks were similar. Differences between treatment arms were reported for the types of injection-associated adverse reactions (see Injection-Associated Adverse Reactions for additional information).

Injection-Associated Adverse Reactions: Local Injection Site Reactions (ISRs): In the 3 Phase 3 studies, FLAIR, ATLAS, and ATLAS‑2M, the most frequent adverse reactions associated with the intramuscular administration of CABENUVA were ISRs.

In the pooled analysis of FLAIR and ATLAS, 83% of participants reported any injection site reaction with the monthly dosing regimen, with 1% of participants who discontinued treatment with CABENUVA because of ISRs. After 14,682 injections, 3,663 ISRs were reported. The severity of ISRs was generally mild (Grade 1: 75% of participants) or moderate (Grade 2: 36% of participants). Four percent (4%) of participants experienced severe (Grade 3) ISRs, and no participant experienced Grade 4 ISRs. The median duration of overall ISR events was 3 days. The most commonly reported ISR in FLAIR and ATLAS was pain/discomfort, with 79% reported in the group receiving CABENUVA.

In ATLAS-2M, 75% of participants reported any injection site reaction in both the monthly and every‑2‑month dosing regimens, with <1% of participants who discontinued treatment with CABENUVA because of ISRs. When dosing monthly, after 15,711 injections, 3,152 ISRs were reported. When dosing every 2 months, after 8,470 injections, 2,507 ISRs were reported. The severity of ISRs was generally mild (Grade 1: 70% and 71% of participants) or moderate (Grade 2: 28% and 27% of participants) in monthly and every‑2‑month dosing regimens, respectively. Four percent (4%) of participants in the monthly group and 3% of participants in the every‑2‑month group experienced severe (Grade 3) ISRs, and no participant experienced Grade 4 ISRs. The median duration of overall ISR events was 3 days for both dosing regimens. The most commonly reported ISR in ATLAS‑2M was pain/discomfort, with 71% and 73% reported in the monthly and every‑2‑month dosing regimens, respectively. The severity and duration of ISRs, including pain/discomfort, were similar for both dosing regimens and in participants without prior exposure to CABENUVA.

The most commonly reported ISR (Grades 1 to 3) in at least 1% of adult participants in the pooled analyses from FLAIR and ATLAS, and from ATLAS‑2M, are presented in Table 6. The side‑by‑side tabulation is to simplify presentation; direct comparison across trials should not be made due to differing trials.

            Other Injection-Associated Adverse Reactions: In the ATLAS and FLAIR clinical trials, an increased incidence of pyrexia (8%) was reported by participants receiving cabotegravir plus rilpivirine injections compared with no events among participants receiving current antiretroviral regimen. In ATLAS and FLAIR, no cases were serious or led to withdrawal and the occurrences of pyrexia may represent a response to administration of CABENUVA via intramuscular injection. In ATLAS-2M, 1 participant in each arm reported pyrexia that led to withdrawal.

In ATLAS and FLAIR, reports of musculoskeletal pain (3%) and less frequently, sciatica, were also more common in participants receiving cabotegravir plus rilpivirine compared with the current antiretroviral regimen and some events had a temporal association with injection.

Vasovagal or pre-syncopal reactions were reported in <1% of participants after injection with rilpivirine or cabotegravir.

Less Common Adverse Reactions: The following select adverse reactions (regardless of severity) occurred in <2% of participants receiving cabotegravir plus rilpivirine.

            Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal pain (including upper abdominal pain), gastritis, dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence.

            Hepatobiliary Disorders: Hepatotoxicity.

            Investigations: Weight increase (see below).

            Psychiatric Disorders: Anxiety (including anxiety and irritability), depression, abnormal dreams, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt (these events were observed primarily in participants with a pre-existing history of depression or other psychiatric illness).

            Skin and Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions.

Weight Increase: At Week 48, participants in FLAIR and ATLAS who received cabotegravir plus rilpivirine had a median weight gain of 1.5 kg; those in the current antiretroviral regimen group had a median weight gain of 1.0 kg (pooled analysis). In the FLAIR trial, the median weight gain in participants receiving cabotegravir plus rilpivirine or a dolutegravir-containing regimen was 1.3 kg and 1.5 kg, respectively, compared with 1.8 kg and 0.3 kg, respectively, in the ATLAS trial in participants receiving either cabotegravir plus rilpivirine or a protease inhibitor-, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-, or integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing regimen, respectively. At Week 48, participants in ATLAS-2M who received cabotegravir plus rilpivirine in both the monthly and every-2-month treatment arms had a median weight gain of 1.0 kg.

Laboratory Abnormalities: Selected laboratory abnormalities with a worsening grade from baseline and representing the worst-grade toxicity are presented in Table 7. The side-by-side tabulation is to simplify presentation; direct comparison across trials should not be made due to differing trials.

            Changes in Total Bilirubin: Small, non-progressive increases in total bilirubin (without clinical jaundice) were observed with cabotegravir plus rilpivirine. These changes are not considered clinically relevant as they likely reflect competition between cabotegravir and unconjugated bilirubin for a common clearance pathway (UGT1A1) [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

            Serum Cortisol: In pooled Phase 3 trials of EDURANT (rilpivirine), the overall mean change from baseline in basal cortisol was -0.69 (-1.12, 0.27) mcg/dL in the group receiving EDURANT compared with -0.02 (-0.48, 0.44) mcg/dL in the control group. Abnormal responses to ACTH stimulation tests were also higher in the group receiving EDURANT. The clinical significance of the higher abnormal rate of ACTH stimulation tests in the group receiving EDURANT is not known. Refer to the prescribing information for EDURANT for additional information.

Clinical Trial Experience in Adolescents

Based on data from the Week 16 (cohort 1) and Week 24 (cohort 2) analyses of the MOCHA study, the safety profile in adolescents (aged 12 to younger than 18 years and weighing ≥35 kg) was consistent with the safety profile established with cabotegravir plus rilpivirine in adults [see Clinical Studies ].

In cohort 1, 55 virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV-1 received background antiretroviral therapy in addition to either oral cabotegravir (n = 30) followed by injectable cabotegravir (n = 29), or oral rilpivirine (n = 25) followed by injectable rilpivirine (n = 23). Adverse reactions were reported in 38% of adolescents receiving either cabotegravir or rilpivirine. Thirty-three percent of participants reported at least 1 ISR. All ISRs were Grade 1 or Grade 2. Two participants had Grade 3 adverse reactions of hypersensitivity (n = 1, oral rilpivirine) and insomnia (n = 1, injectable cabotegravir). The Grade 3 adverse reaction of drug hypersensitivity led to discontinuation of rilpivirine during oral lead-in. The adverse reactions reported by more than one participant (regardless of severity) were injection site pain (n = 18), headache (n = 2), hypersensitivity (n = 2), insomnia (n = 2), and nausea (n = 2).

In cohort 2, 144 virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV-1 received oral cabotegravir plus oral rilpivirine followed by injectable cabotegravir plus injectable rilpivirine. Adverse reactions were reported in 35% of adolescents receiving cabotegravir plus rilpivirine. Thirty-four percent of participants reported at least 1 ISR. The majority of these participants experienced Grade 1 or Grade 2 ISRs. Two participants had Grade 3 ISRs consisting of injection site abscess (n = 2) and injection site pain in one of these two participants (symptoms resolved in both participants). All non-ISR adverse reactions were ≤ Grade 2. Non-injection-site associated adverse reactions reported by more than one participant (regardless of severity) were headache (n = 3), nausea (n = 2), rash (n = 2) and rash pruritic (n = 2).

 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing experience in patients receiving cabotegravir- or oral-rilpivirine-containing regimens. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Immune System Disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions (including angioedema and urticaria) [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Renal and Genitourinary Disorders

Nephrotic syndrome.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Severe skin and hypersensitivity reactions, including DRESS [see Warnings and Precautions ].

 Concomitant Use with Other Antiretroviral Medicines

Because CABENUVA is a complete regimen, coadministration with other antiretroviral medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection is not recommended [see Indications and Usage ].

 Use of Other Antiretroviral Drugs after Discontinuation of CABENUVA

Residual concentrations of cabotegravir and rilpivirine may remain in the systemic circulation of patients for prolonged periods (up to 12 months or longer). These residual concentrations are not expected to affect the exposures of antiretroviral drugs that are initiated after discontinuation of CABENUVA [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions , Clinical Pharmacology ].

 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect CABENUVA

Refer to the prescribing information for VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and EDURANT (rilpivirine) for additional drug interaction information related to oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine, respectively.

Cabotegravir

Cabotegravir is primarily metabolized by UGT1A1 with some contribution from UGT1A9. Drugs that are strong inducers of UGT1A1 or UGT1A9 are expected to decrease cabotegravir plasma concentrations and may result in loss of virologic response; therefore, coadministration of CABENUVA with these drugs is contraindicated [see Contraindications ].

Rilpivirine

Rilpivirine is primarily metabolized by CYP3A. Coadministration of CABENUVA and drugs that induce CYP3A may result in decreased plasma concentrations of rilpivirine and loss of virologic response and possible resistance to rilpivirine or to the class of NNRTIs [see Contraindications , Drug Interactions ]. Coadministration of CABENUVA and drugs that inhibit CYP3A may result in increased plasma concentrations of rilpivirine [see Drug Interactions , Clinical Pharmacology ].

QT-Prolonging Drugs: At mean steady-state Cmax values 4.4- and 11.6-fold higher than those with the recommended 600‑mg dose of rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension, rilpivirine may prolong the QTc interval [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. CABENUVA should be used with caution in combination with drugs with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions ].

 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions

Refer to the prescribing information for VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and EDURANT (rilpivirine) for additional drug interaction information related to oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine, respectively.

Information regarding potential drug interactions with cabotegravir and rilpivirine is provided in Table 8. These recommendations are based on either drug interaction trials following oral administration of cabotegravir or rilpivirine or predicted interactions due to the expected magnitude of the interaction and potential for loss of virologic response [see Contraindications , Warnings and Precautions , Clinical Pharmacology ]. Table 8 includes potentially significant interactions but is not all inclusive.

 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions

Cabotegravir

Based on drug interaction study results, the following drugs can be coadministered with cabotegravir (non-antiretrovirals and rilpivirine) or given after discontinuation of cabotegravir (antiretrovirals and non-antiretrovirals) without a dose adjustment: etravirine, midazolam, oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, and rilpivirine [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Rilpivirine

Based on drug interaction study results, the following drugs can be coadministered with rilpivirine (non-antiretrovirals and cabotegravir) or given after discontinuation of rilpivirine (antiretrovirals and non-antiretrovirals): acetaminophen, atorvastatin, cabotegravir, chlorzoxazone, dolutegravir, ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone, raltegravir, ritonavir-boosted atazanavir, ritonavir-boosted darunavir, sildenafil, tenofovir alafenamide, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. Rilpivirine did not have a clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin or metformin.

Mechanism of Action

CABENUVA contains 2 long-acting HIV-1 antiretroviral drugs, cabotegravir and rilpivirine [see Microbiology ].

Pharmacodynamics

Cardiac Electrophysiology

At a dose of cabotegravir 150 mg orally every 12 hours (10 times the recommended total daily oral lead-in dosage of CABENUVA), the QT interval is not prolonged to any clinically relevant extent. Administration of 3 doses of cabotegravir 150 mg orally every 12 hours resulted in a geometric mean Cmax approximately 2.8-, 5.4-, and 5.6-fold above the geometric mean steady-state Cmax associated with the recommended 30‑mg dose of oral cabotegravir, the recommended 400‑mg dose given monthly, and the recommended 600-mg dose given every 2 months of cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension, respectively.

At the recommended dose of rilpivirine 25 mg orally once daily, the QT interval is not prolonged to any clinically relevant extent. The rilpivirine 25-mg once-daily mean steady-state Cmax was 247 ng/mL, which is 1.7-fold higher than the mean steady-state Cmax observed with the recommended 600-mg dose of rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension given monthly and 1.6-fold higher than the mean steady-state Cmax observed with the recommended 900-mg dose of rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension given every 2 months.

When rilpivirine 75-mg and 300-mg once-daily oral doses (3 and 12 times, respectively, the recommended oral lead-in dosage) were studied in healthy adults, the maximum mean time-matched (95% upper confidence bound) differences in QTcF interval were 10.7 (15.3) and 23.3 (28.4) msec, respectively, after baseline and placebo adjustment. Steady-state administration of rilpivirine 75 mg once daily and 300 mg once daily resulted in a mean steady-state Cmax approximately 4.4- and 11.6-fold, respectively, higher than the mean steady-state Cmax observed with the recommended 600-mg dose of rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension given monthly and approximately 4.1- and 10.7-fold, respectively, higher than the mean steady-state Cmax observed with the recommended 900-mg dose of rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension given every 2 months. The corresponding Cmax ratios are 2.6 and 6.7 when compared with the recommended oral rilpivirine dosage [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption, Distribution, and Elimination

The pharmacokinetic properties of the components of CABENUVA are provided in Table 9. The multiple-dose pharmacokinetic parameters are provided in Table 10. For the pharmacokinetic properties of oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine, refer to the full prescribing information for VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) and EDURANT (rilpivirine), respectively.

Specific Populations

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir or rilpivirine were observed based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, or UGT1A1 polymorphisms.

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine concentrations in participants who were hepatitis C virus antibody positive at baseline were similar to those in the overall study population. The effect of hepatitis B virus co-infection on the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir is unknown. No clinically relevant differences in the pharmacokinetics of oral rilpivirine have been observed with hepatitis B and/or C virus co-infection.

Patients with Renal Impairment: With oral cabotegravir, no clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir are expected in patients with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment. Cabotegravir has not been studied in patients with end-stage renal disease not on dialysis. As cabotegravir is >99% protein bound, dialysis is not expected to alter exposures of cabotegravir [see Use in Specific Populations ].

Population pharmacokinetic analyses indicated that mild renal impairment had no clinically relevant effect on the exposure of oral rilpivirine. There is limited or no information regarding the pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease not on dialysis. As rilpivirine is >99% protein bound, dialysis is not expected to alter exposures of rilpivirine [see Use in Specific Populations ].

Patients with Hepatic Impairment: No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir are expected in mild to moderate (Child-Pugh A or B) hepatic impairment. The effect of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) on the pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir has not been studied [see Use in Specific Populations ].

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine were observed in mild to moderate (Child-Pugh A or B) hepatic impairment. The effect of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) has not been studied [see Use in Specific Populations ].

Geriatric Patients: The pharmacokinetics of cabotegravir (oral or injectable) and of injectable rilpivirine have not been studied and data are limited in participants aged 65 years or older [see Use in Specific Populations ].

Pediatric Patients: Population pharmacokinetic analyses revealed no clinically relevant differences in exposure between adolescent participants (weighing ≥35 kg and aged at least 12 years) and adult participants with and without HIV-1 from the cabotegravir or rilpivirine development program.

Drug Interaction Studies

Cabotegravir is not a clinically relevant inhibitor of the following enzymes and transporters: CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4; UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B4, 2B7, 2B15, and 2B17; P-glycoprotein (P‑gp); breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP); bile salt export pump (BSEP); organic cation transporter (OCT)1, OCT2; organic anion transporter polypeptide (OATP)1B1, OATP1B3; multidrug and toxin extrusion transporter (MATE) 1, MATE 2-K; and multidrug resistance protein (MRP)2 or MRP4.

In vitro, cabotegravir inhibited renal OAT1 (IC50 = 0.81 microM) and OAT3 (IC50 = 0.41 microM). Based on physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, cabotegravir may increase the AUC of OAT1/3 substrates up to approximately 80%.

In vitro, cabotegravir did not induce CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4.

‎Simulations using PBPK modeling show that no clinically significant interaction is expected during coadministration of cabotegravir with drugs that inhibit UGT1A1.

In vitro, cabotegravir was not a substrate of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, or OCT1.

Cabotegravir is a substrate of P-gp and BCRP in vitro; however, because of its high permeability, no alteration in cabotegravir absorption is expected with coadministration of P-gp or BCRP inhibitors.

Rilpivirine is not likely to have a clinically relevant effect on the exposure of drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes.

Drug interaction studies were not conducted with injectable cabotegravir or injectable rilpivirine. Drug interaction studies with oral cabotegravir or oral rilpivirine are summarized in Tables 12, 13, 14, and 15.

 Microbiology

Mechanism of Action

Cabotegravir inhibits HIV integrase by binding to the integrase active site and blocking the strand transfer step of retroviral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integration that is essential for the HIV replication cycle. The mean 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of cabotegravir in a strand transfer assay using purified recombinant HIV-1 integrase was 3.0 nM.

Rilpivirine is a diarylpyrimidine NNRTI of HIV-1 and inhibits HIV-1 replication by non-competitive inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Rilpivirine does not inhibit the human cellular DNA polymerases α, β, and γ.

Antiviral Activity in Cell Culture

Cabotegravir exhibited antiviral activity against laboratory strains of HIV-1 (subtype B, n = 4) with mean 50 percent effective concentration (EC50) values of 0.22 to 1.7 nM in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and 293 cells. Cabotegravir demonstrated antiviral activity in PBMCs against a panel of 24 HIV-1 clinical isolates (3 in each of group M subtypes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G and 3 in group O) with a median EC50 value of 0.19 nM (range: 0.02 to 1.06 nM, n = 24). The median EC50 value against subtype B clinical isolates was 0.05 nM (range: 0.02 to 0.50 nM, n = 3). Against clinical HIV-2 isolates, the median EC50 value was 0.12 nM (range: 0.10 to 0.14 nM, n = 3).

Rilpivirine exhibited activity against laboratory strains of wild-type HIV-1 in an acutely infected T-cell line with a median EC50 value for HIV-1IIIB of 0.73 nM (0.27 ng/mL). Rilpivirine demonstrated antiviral activity against a broad panel of HIV-1 group M (subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G, and H) primary isolates with EC50 values ranging from 0.07 nM to 1.01 nM (0.03 to 0.37 ng/mL) and was less active against group O primary isolates with EC50 values ranging from 2.88 nM to 8.45 nM (1.06 to 3.10 ng/mL).

In cell culture, cabotegravir was not antagonistic in combination with the NNRTI rilpivirine, or the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) emtricitabine (FTC), lamivudine (3TC), or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

The antiviral activity of rilpivirine was not antagonistic when combined with the NNRTIs efavirenz, etravirine, or nevirapine; the NRTIs abacavir, didanosine, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir, or zidovudine; the protease inhibitors amprenavir, atazanavir, darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, or tipranavir; the fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide; the CCR5 co-receptor antagonist maraviroc, or the INSTI raltegravir.

Resistance

Cell Culture: Cabotegravir-resistant viruses were selected during passage of HIV-1 strain IIIB in MT-2 cells in the presence of cabotegravir. Amino acid substitutions in integrase that emerged and conferred decreased susceptibility to cabotegravir included Q146L (fold change: 1.3 to 4.6), S153Y (fold change: 2.8 to 8.4), and I162M (fold change: 2.8). The integrase substitution T124A also emerged alone (fold change: 1.1 to 7.4 in cabotegravir susceptibility), in combination with S153Y (fold change: 3.6 to 6.6 in cabotegravir susceptibility) or I162M (2.8-fold change in cabotegravir susceptibility). Cell culture passage of virus harboring integrase substitutions Q148H, Q148K, or Q148R selected for additional substitutions (C56S, V72I, L74M, V75A, T122N, E138K, G140S, G149A, and M154I), with substituted viruses having reduced susceptibility to cabotegravir of 2.0- to 410-fold change. The combinations of E138K+Q148K and V72I+E138K+Q148K conferred the greatest reductions of 53- to 260‑fold change and 410-fold change, respectively.

Rilpivirine-resistant strains were selected in cell culture starting from wild-type HIV-1 of different origins and subtypes as well as NNRTI-resistant HIV-1. The frequently observed amino acid substitutions that emerged and conferred decreased phenotypic susceptibility to rilpivirine included L100I; K101E; V106I and A; V108I; E138K and G, Q, R; V179F and I; Y181C and I; V189I; G190E; H221Y; F227C; and M230I and L.

Clinical Trials: In the pooled Phase 3 FLAIR (Week 124) and ATLAS (Week 96) analysis, there were 8 confirmed virologic failures (2 consecutive HIV-1 RNA ≥200 copies/mL) on cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (8/591, 1.4%) and 8 confirmed virologic failures on current antiretroviral regimen (8/591, 1.4%). Of the 8 confirmed virologic failures in the cabotegravir plus rilpivirine arm, 7 (88%) had treatment-emergent NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions K101E, V106V/A, V108I, E138A, E138G, E138K, H221H/L, or M230L in reverse transcriptase, and 6 of them showed reduced phenotypic susceptibility to rilpivirine (range: 2- to 27-fold). One additional participant in the ATLAS Extension Switch on cabotegravir plus rilpivirine had emergent NNRTI resistance substitution E138A at Week 80 with HIV-1 RNA >50 copies/mL and <200 copies/mL.

Additionally, 5 of the 8 (63%) cabotegravir plus rilpivirine confirmed virologic failures had treatment-emergent INSTI resistance-associated substitutions and reduced phenotypic susceptibility to cabotegravir: Q148R (n = 2; 5- and 9-fold decreased susceptibility to cabotegravir), G140R (n = 1; 7-fold decreased susceptibility to cabotegravir), N155H (n = 1; 3‑fold decreased susceptibility to cabotegravir), or N155H+R263K (n = 1; 9-fold decreased susceptibility to cabotegravir).

There was another confirmed virologic failure participant at Week 112 in FLAIR who had switched to cabotegravir plus rilpivirine direct to injection at Week 100; there were no INSTI resistance‑associated substitutions detected at failure.

In comparison, in the current antiretroviral regimen arm with 8 confirmed virologic failures, 2 of 7 (29%) who had post-baseline resistance data had treatment-emergent resistance substitutions and phenotypic resistance to their antiretroviral drugs; both had treatment-emergent NRTI substitutions, M184V or I, which conferred resistance to emtricitabine or lamivudine in their regimen, and one of them also had the treatment-emergent NNRTI resistance substitution G190S, which conferred resistance to efavirenz in their regimen.

In the ATLAS-2M trial, there were 11 confirmed virologic failures (2 consecutive HIV-1 RNA ≥200 copies/mL) through Week 48: 9 participants (1.7%) in the every-2-month treatment arm and 2 participants (0.4%) in the monthly treatment arm. Of note, 8 of the 11 (73%) participants met confirmed virologic failure criteria at or before the Week 24 injection visit.

Four of the 9 confirmed virologic failure participants in the every-2-month arm transitioned from the oral current antiretroviral regimen arm of ATLAS into this trial.

In the every-2-month treatment arm, 8 of 9 (89%) confirmed virologic failure participants had NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions (E138E/K+V179V/I, K101E+E138A, A98G+K103N, E138K, V179I+Y188L+P225H, Y188L, K103N+E138A, or K101E) at virologic failure. Decreases in rilpivirine susceptibility for these 8 participant isolates ranged from 2- to 30-fold. Six of the 8 participants with NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions also had INSTI resistance-associated substitutions (L74I+Q148Q/R+N155N/H (n = 2), L74I+T97A+N155H, L74I+N155H, N155H, or L74I+Q148R) at failure with cabotegravir fold changes ranging from 1- to 9-fold. The INSTI polymorphism L74I was detected at baseline in 5 of the virologic failure participants by a HIV-1 proviral DNA assay.

In the monthly treatment arm, both of the confirmed virologic failure participants had NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions (K101E+M230L or Y188F+G190Q) at virologic failure with decreased susceptibility to rilpivirine of 17- and >119.2-fold, respectively. Both participants also had INSTI resistance-associated substitutions (N155N/H or Q148R+E138E/K) at failure with decreased susceptibility to cabotegravir of 2- and 5-fold, respectively. Neither participant had the L74I integrase polymorphism at baseline.

Genotypic Baseline Factors Associated with Virologic Failure

An increased risk of cabotegravir plus rilpivirine confirmed virologic failure is associated with baseline virological factors: HIV-1 subtype A1, the presence of baseline integrase L74I polymorphism, and archived NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions.

Association of Subtype A1 and Baseline L74I Polymorphism in Integrase with Cabotegravir plus Rilpivirine Virologic Failure

Eight of the 18 (44%) cabotegravir plus rilpivirine confirmed virologic failures in FLAIR, ATLAS, and ATLAS-2M had HIV‑1 subtype A1 with 7 of the 8 subtype A1 failures having the integrase polymorphism L74I detected at baseline and failure timepoints . There was no detectable phenotypic resistance to cabotegravir conferred by the presence of L74I at baseline. Subtype A1 is uncommon in the U.S.

The presence of the integrase polymorphism L74I in subtype B commonly seen in the U.S. was not associated with virologic failure. In contrast to FLAIR and ATLAS, where all virologic failures were subtype A, A1, or AG, subtypes of the cabotegravir plus rilpivirine virologic failures in ATLAS-2M included A (n = 1), A1 (n = 3), B (n = 4), C (n = 2), and complex/A1 (n = 1).

Association of Archived Baseline NNRTI Substitutions with Cabotegravir plus Rilpivirine Virologic Failure

The presence of archived NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions at baseline detected using an exploratory HIV-1 proviral DNA assay was associated with a higher virologic failure rate in the every-2-month arm of ATLAS-2M and in the cabotegravir plus rilpivirine arm (monthly) of ATLAS compared to without archived NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions . However, in clinical practice, it is unlikely baseline resistance testing will be performed on virologically suppressed patients (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL). Thus, in patients with an incomplete or uncertain NNRTI treatment history, consideration should be given before starting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine treatment.

Cross-Resistance

Virologic failure isolates from cabotegravir plus rilpivirine treatment in FLAIR, ATLAS, and ATLAS-2M exhibited cross-resistance to INSTIs and NNRTIs. All confirmed virologic isolates with genotypic evidence of cabotegravir resistance had cross-resistance to elvitegravir and raltegravir but retained phenotypic susceptibility to dolutegravir and when tested bictegravir. Virologic failure isolates with rilpivirine resistance had cross-resistance with NNRTIs delavirdine, doravirine, efavirenz, etravirine, and nevirapine.

Cabotegravir: Cross-resistance has been observed among INSTIs. Cabotegravir had reduced susceptibility (>5-fold change) to recombinant HIV-1 strain NL432 viruses harboring the following integrase amino acid substitutions: G118R, Q148K, Q148R, T66K+L74M, E92Q+N155H, E138A+Q148R, E138K+Q148K/R, G140C+Q148R, G140S+Q148H/K/R, Y143H+N155H, and Q148R+N155H (range: 5.1- to 81-fold). The substitutions E138K+Q148K and Q148R+N155H conferred the greatest reductions in susceptibility of 81- and 61-fold, respectively.

Cabotegravir was active against viruses harboring the NNRTI substitutions K103N or Y188L, or the NRTI substitutions M184V, D67N/K70R/T215Y, or V75I/F77L/F116Y/Q151M.

Rilpivirine: Cross-resistance has been observed among NNRTIs. The single NNRTI substitutions K101P, Y181I, and Y181V conferred 52-, 15-, and 12-times fold change to rilpivirine, respectively. The K103N substitution did not show reduced susceptibility to rilpivirine by itself. Combinations of 2 or 3 NNRTI resistance-associated substitutions gave 3.7- to 554-fold change to rilpivirine in 38% and 66% of substitutions, respectively. Considering all available cell culture and clinical data, any of the following amino acid substitutions, when present at baseline, are likely to decrease the antiviral activity of rilpivirine: K101E and P; E138A, G, K, R, and Q; V179L; Y181C, I, and V; Y188L; H221Y; F227C; M230I and L, and the combination of L100I/K103N.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Two-year carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats were conducted with cabotegravir. In mice, no drug-related increases in tumor incidence were observed at cabotegravir exposures (AUC) up to approximately 8 times (males) and 7 times (females) higher than those in humans at the RHD. In rats, no drug-related increases in tumor incidence were observed at cabotegravir exposures up to approximately 26 times higher than those in humans at the RHD.

Two-year carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats were conducted with rilpivirine. In mice, rilpivirine was positive for hepatocellular neoplasms in both males and females. The observed hepatocellular findings in mice may be rodent-specific. At the lowest tested dose in the mouse carcinogenicity study, the systemic exposure to rilpivirine was 21 times that observed in humans at the RHD. In rats, no drug-related neoplasms were observed at exposures 3 times those observed in humans at the RHD.

Mutagenesis

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine were not genotoxic in the bacterial reverse mutation assay, mouse lymphoma assay, or in the in vivo rodent micronucleus assay.

Impairment of Fertility

In rats, no effects on fertility were observed at cabotegravir exposures (AUC) >20 times (male) and 28 times (female) the exposure in humans at the RHD. Similarly, no effects on fertility were observed in rats at rilpivirine exposures (AUC) >36 times (male) and 40 times (female) the exposure in humans at the RHD.

 Clinical Trials in Adults

Monthly Dosing Trials

The efficacy of CABENUVA has been evaluated in 2 Phase 3 randomized, multicenter, active-controlled, parallel-arm, open-label, non-inferiority trials:

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Trial 201584 (FLAIR [NCT02938520]), (n = 629): antiretroviral treatment (ART)‑naive participants with HIV-1 received a dolutegravir INSTI-containing regimen for 20 weeks (either dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine or dolutegravir plus 2 other NRTIs if participants were HLA‑B*5701 positive). Participants who were virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL, n = 566) were then randomized (1:1) to receive either a cabotegravir plus rilpivirine regimen or remain on the current antiretroviral regimen. Participants randomized to receive cabotegravir plus rilpivirine initiated treatment with daily oral lead-in dosing with one 30-mg VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) tablet plus one 25-mg EDURANT (rilpivirine) tablet for at least 4 weeks followed by monthly injections with CABENUVA for an additional 44 weeks [see Dosage and Administration ].

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Trial 201585 (ATLAS [NCT02951052]), (n = 616): ART-experienced, virologically-suppressed (for at least 6 months; median prior treatment duration was 4.3 years) participants (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) with HIV-1 were randomized and received either a cabotegravir plus rilpivirine regimen or remained on their current antiretroviral regimen. Participants randomized to receive cabotegravir plus rilpivirine initiated treatment with daily oral lead-in dosing with one 30-mg VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) tablet plus one 25-mg EDURANT (rilpivirine) tablet for at least 4 weeks followed by monthly injections with CABENUVA for an additional 44 weeks [see Dosage and Administration ].

The primary analysis was conducted after all participants completed their Week 48 visit or discontinued the trial prematurely.

At baseline, in FLAIR and ATLAS the median age was 34 years and 40 years, 22% and 32% were female, and 24% and 31% were non-White, respectively. In both studies, 7% had CD4+ cell count <350 cells/mm3; these characteristics were similar between treatment arms. In ATLAS, participants received an NNRTI (50%), integrase inhibitor (33%), or protease inhibitor (17%) as their baseline third-agent class prior to randomization; this was similar between treatment arms. Participants with hepatitis B co-infection were excluded from the trial.

The primary endpoint of FLAIR and ATLAS was the proportion of participants with plasma HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at Week 48.

The primary endpoint and other Week 48 outcomes, including outcomes by key baseline factors, for FLAIR and ATLAS are shown in Tables 17 and 18.

Adjusted for study and randomization stratification factors, treatment difference of HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL for the pooled data was 0.2% with 95% CI (-1.4%, 1.7%).

Participants in both the FLAIR and ATLAS trials were virologically suppressed prior to Day 1 or at study entry, respectively, and no clinically relevant change from baseline in CD4+ cell counts was observed.

In FLAIR at Week 96, the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL was 3.2 % for both the cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (n = 283) and current antiretroviral regimen (n = 283) treatment arms; adjusted treatment difference was 0.0% with 95% CI (-2.9%, 2.9%). The proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL was 87% and 89% for the cabotegravir plus rilpivirine and the current antiretroviral regimen arms, respectively; adjusted treatment difference was -2.8% with 95% CI (-8.2%, 2.5%).

Optional Oral Lead-In: FLAIR Extension Phase

In the FLAIR study during the Extension Phase (Week 100 to Week 124), the efficacy of CABENUVA was evaluated in patients who switched (at Week 100) from their current antiretroviral regimen to CABENUVA, with and without an oral lead-in phase. A total of 121 participants chose to start the treatment with oral lead-in and 111 participants chose direct to injection. Participants were not randomized during the Extension Phase. At Week 124, the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL was 0.8% and 0.9% for the oral lead-in and direct to injection groups, respectively. The rates of virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) were similar in both the oral lead-in (93%) and direct to injection (99%) groups.

Every-2-Month Dosing Trial

The efficacy of CABENUVA dosed every 2 months has been evaluated in 1 Phase 3b randomized, multicenter, parallel-arm, open-label, non-inferiority trial:

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Trial 207966 (ATLAS-2M [NCT03299049]), (n = 1,045): ART‑experienced, virologically suppressed participants with HIV-1, including 504 participants from the ATLAS trial (randomized to CAB plus RPV [n = 253] or CAR [n = 251]; prior exposure to cabotegravir plus rilpivirine [n = 391]), were randomized and received a cabotegravir plus rilpivirine regimen administered as injection doses of cabotegravir 400 mg plus rilpivirine 600 mg either monthly or cabotegravir 600 mg plus rilpivirine 900 mg every 2 months. Participants without prior exposure to cabotegravir plus rilpivirine initiated treatment with daily oral lead-in dosing with one 30-mg VOCABRIA (cabotegravir) tablet plus one 25-mg EDURANT (rilpivirine) tablet for at least 4 weeks followed by monthly or every-2-month injections with CABENUVA for an additional 44 weeks.

The primary analysis was conducted after all participants completed their Week 48 visit or discontinued the study prematurely.

At baseline, the median age was 42 years, 27% were female, 27% were non-White, and 6% had a CD4+ cell count <350 cells per mm3; these characteristics were similar between the treatment arms. Participants received either an NNRTI (29%), an integrase inhibitor besides cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (26%), a protease inhibitor (7%), or cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (37%) as their baseline third-agent class prior to randomization.

The primary endpoint of ATLAS-2M was the proportion of participants with a plasma HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at Week 48.

The primary endpoint and other Week 48 outcomes, including outcomes by key baseline factors, for ATLAS-2M are shown in Tables 19 and 20.

Clinical Trial in Adolescents

Trial 208580 (MOCHA, [NCT03497676])

The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of oral and injectable cabotegravir and oral and injectable rilpivirine were assessed in an ongoing Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, non‑comparative study, MOCHA (IMPAACT 2017) [see Adverse Reactions , Clinical Pharmacology ].

Cohort 1

Fifty-five virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV-1 aged 12 to younger than 18 years and weighing at least 35 kg were enrolled to 1 of 4 subgroups, 1C (Q4W): cabotegravir monthly dosing, 1C (Q8W): cabotegravir every‑2‑month dosing, 1R (Q4W): rilpivirine monthly dosing or 1R (Q8W): rilpivirine every‑2‑month dosing.

In cohort 1C, participants (n = 30) received one 30-mg cabotegravir tablet daily for at least 4 weeks followed by monthly cabotegravir injections for 3 months (Month 1: 600-mg injection, Months 2 and 3: 400-mg injection), or every-2-month cabotegravir injections for 2 months (Months 1 and 2: 600-mg injection), while continuing background antiretroviral therapy. In cohort 1R, participants (n = 25) received one 25-mg rilpivirine tablet daily for at least 4 weeks followed by monthly rilpivirine injections for 3 months (Month 1: 900-mg injection, Months 2 and 3: 600-mg injection), or every-2-month rilpivirine injections for 2 months (Months 1 and 2: 900-mg injection), while continuing background antiretroviral therapy.

At baseline, in cohort 1 (n = 55), the median age of participants was 15.0 years, the median weight was 50.0 kg (range: 37.4, 98.5), 47% were female, 76% were Black/African American, 16% were Asian, 7% were White; and no participant had a CD4+ cell count <350 cells per mm3. At baseline, median CD4+ cell count was 725 cells per mm3 (range: 397 to 1808).

The primary objectives at Week 16, which were to confirm the use of the adult dose through the evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics in virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV-1, were met enabling the progression of participants to cohort 2 [see Adverse Reactions , Clinical Pharmacology ].

Cohort 2

Cohort 2 enrolled eligible participants who had completed cohort 1 as well as eligible participants who had not been previously enrolled in the study. Cohort 2 participants (n = 144) discontinued their background antiretroviral therapy and received one 30-mg cabotegravir tablet plus one 25-mg rilpivirine tablet daily for at least 4 weeks followed by every-2-month cabotegravir injections (Months 1 and 2: 600-mg injection, then 600-mg injection once every 2 months) and rilpivirine injections (Months 1 and 2: 900-mg injection, then 900-mg injection once every 2 months).

At baseline, in cohort 2, the median age of participants was 15.0 years, the median weight was 48.5 kg (range: 35.2, 100.9), 51% were female, 74% were Black/African American, 25% were Asian, 1% was White; and 4 participants had a CD4+ cell count less than 350 cells per mm3. At baseline, median CD4+ cell count was 739.5 cells per mm3 (range: 81 to 1925).

The primary objective at Week 24, which was to confirm the safety of injectable cabotegravir plus injectable rilpivirine in virologically suppressed adolescents with HIV-1, was met [see Adverse Reactions ]. Antiviral activity was assessed as a secondary objective: 139 of the 141 (98.6%) participants with available data remained virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) at Week 24. The median change from baseline in CD4+ cell count at Week 24 was -36.0 cells per mm3.