{
  "id": 359934,
  "title": "New once-weekly HIV treatment shows promise in clinical trials",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/new-once-weekly-hiv-treatment-shows-promise-in-clinical-trials",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-09T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/ios/news/2026-08-09-new-once-weekly-hiv-treatment-shows-promise-in-clinical-trials/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new once-weekly HIV treatment is showing promise in clinical trials, potentially allowing some people living with HIV to take their medication just once a week instead of every day. Researchers are increasingly focusing on long-acting HIV treatments that could reduce medication frequency while maintaining effective viral suppression. In South Africa, daily antiretroviral medication remains a central part of the HIV treatment program. The new treatment combines islatravir and lenacapavir, designed to be taken once a week, and performed well in Phase 3 trials. However, it is not yet available to patients as it remains investigational. A weekly treatment could make medication management easier for some people, but adherence would still be crucial. The once-weekly pill is part of a trend towards HIV medicines not requiring daily intake. Long-acting HIV medicines are already available in various intervals, and the WHO supports long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine for some patients. South Africa is also introducing long-acting lenacapavir for HIV prevention. While a weekly pill could offer convenience, it's important that people living with HIV continue taking their current medication as prescribed and consult their healthcare provider before making any changes.",
  "summary": "This is how a promising once-weekly HIV treatment could revolutionise medication adherence for patients, offering a simpler alternative to daily regimens.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}