Merck and Gilead reported positive results from two Phase 3 trials of a combination regimen intended to become the first weekly oral HIV treatment. The approach pairs Merck’s islatravir with Gilead’s lenacapavir, using a 2 mg/300 mg dosing strategy for people with HIV who are already virologically suppressed. In Islend-1, the combination was non-inferior in participants who switched off Gilead’s once-daily Biktarvy. In Islend-2, it met primary efficacy in participants who switched off standard-of-care antiretroviral regimens, with the companies reporting no new safety concerns. Merck and Gilead said they plan regulatory submissions globally and will present the data at a future scientific congress. Analysts noted the results are a positive step for a less frequent dosing option, even as they expect Biktarvy to remain the standard-of-care given its long-established suppression performance.