Merck and Gilead reported positive phase 3 results for a weekly oral HIV regimen combining Merck’s islatravir and Gilead’s lenacapavir. In both Islend-1 and Islend-2, the study met its primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating non-inferiority or efficacy in participants who switched from existing antiretroviral regimens. The companies reported no new safety concerns in the trials. The program is positioned as an effort to enable long-acting therapy with less frequent dosing, potentially improving adherence and flexibility for people who are virologically suppressed. Merck and Gilead said they plan to submit the data to regulators around the world and present findings at an upcoming scientific meeting—moves that could accelerate regulatory scrutiny for a first-of-its-kind weekly pill strategy.