ViiV Healthcare receives CHMP Positive Opinion for Tivicay EU label update with GEMINI study data for the 2-drug regimen of Tivicay + lamivudine

The label update includes  data from the phase III GEMINI 1 & 2 studies, which evaluated the safety, efficacy and tolerability of the 2-drug regimen of dolutegravir + lamivudine compared to a three-drug regimen of dolutegravir and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine in more than 1400 HIV-1 infected adults with baseline viral loads up to 500,000 c/mL.[i] This CHMP Positive Opinion provides further support for the efficacy of dolutegravir in treating HIV as a 2-drug regimen (2DR). 

“Today, thanks to advances in treatment, people living with HIV (PLHIV) can now expect to live as long as the general population. However, we know that they still face a lifetime of antiretroviral therapy in order to maintain viral suppression. Our 2DR programme looks to reduce the impact of a lifetime of medication, without compromising on treatment efficacy, as we believe no one should take more medicines than they need.This CHMP Positive Opinion is a key milestone in the dolutegravir 2DR journey.” said Deborah Waterhouse, CEO ViiV Healthcare.

The regulatory submission for the update to the Tivicay EU label includes 48-week data from the phase III GEMINI 1 & 2 studies, which were presented earlier this year at the 22nd International AIDS Conference. The studies met their week 48 primary objective of non-inferiority based on plasma HIV-1 RNA <50c/mL, a standard measure of HIV control, with broadly consistent results for viral suppression across high and low viral load strata. At 48 weeks, no patient who experienced virologic failure in either treatment arm developed treatment-emergent resistance. Overall, comparable rates of adverse events were seen in both treatment arms, with the most common (≥5%) reported being headache, diarrhoea and nasopharyngitis.[ii]

ViiV Healthcare submitted regulatory applications with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration in September and October 2018 for a fixed-dose combination, single pill formulation of dolutegravir and lamivudine. Regulatory decisions are expected in 2019. [iii],[iv]

About dolutegravir and lamivudine

Dolutegravir (Tivicay) is an integrase inhibitor (INI) for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV. [v] Integrase inhibitors block HIV replication by preventing the viral DNA from integrating into the genetic material of human immune cells (T-cells). This step is essential in the HIV replication cycle and is also responsible for establishing chronic infection. Tivicay is approved in over 100 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and Latin America.[vi]

Lamivudine, commonly known as 3TC, is a nucleoside analogue used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection. Lamivudine is available in branded (Epivir) and generic forms. [vii]

Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

GEMINI 1 & 2 study design

GEMINI 1 (204861) and GEMINI 2 (205543) are duplicate, phase III, randomised, double-blind, multicentre, parallel group, non-inferiority studies. These studies evaluate a two-drug regimen of dolutegravir and lamivudine compared with a three-drug, first-line regimen of dolutegravir + emtricitabine/tenofovir in HIV-1 infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve adult participants with baseline HIV-1 viral loads up to 500,000 copies per mL. The GEMINI studies are ongoing for 148 weeks. [viii],[ix]

For more information please search for NCT02831673 (GEMINI 1) or NCT02831764 (GEMINI 2) on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Important Safety Information for Tivicay 50mg tablets and Epivir 300mg tablets in the EU

The following Important Safety Information is based on a summary of the Summary of Product Characteristics for both Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Epivir (lamivudine). Please consult the full Summary of Product Characteristics for the individuals products for all the safety information.

For Tivicay and Epivir

In HIV-infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of institution of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic pathogens may arise and cause serious clinical conditions, or aggravation of symptoms. Typically, such reactions have been observed within the first few weeks or months of initiation of CART. Relevant examples are cytomegalovirus retinitis, generalised and/or focal mycobacterial infections, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Any inflammatory symptoms should be evaluated and treatment instituted when necessary. Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution, however, the reported time to onset is more variable and these events can occur many months after initiation of treatment.

While effective viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy has been proven to substantially reduce the risk of sexual transmission, a residual risk cannot be excluded. Precautions to prevent transmission should be taken in accordance with national guidelines.

Patients should be advised that dolutegravir, lamivudine or any other antiretroviral therapy does not cure HIV infection and that they may still develop opportunistic infections and other complications of HIV infection. Therefore, patients should remain under close clinical observation by physicians experienced in the treatment of these associated HIV diseases.

Tivicay 50mg tablets

Tivicay is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients any of the excipients.

Tivicay should not be co-administration with dofetilide

Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with dolutegravir, and were characterized by rash, constitutional findings, and sometimes, organ dysfunction, including severe liver reactions. Dolutegravir and other suspect medicinal products should be discontinued immediately if signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions develop (including, but not limited to, severe rash or rash accompanied by raised liver enzymes, fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, facial oedema, eosinophilia, angioedema). Clinical status including liver aminotransferases and bilirubin should be monitored. Delay in stopping treatment with dolutegravir or other suspect active substances after the onset of hypersensitivity may result in a life-threatening allergic reaction.

The decision to use dolutegravir in the presence of integrase class resistance should take into account that the activity of dolutegravir is considerably compromised for viral strains harbouring Q148+≥2 secondary mutations from G140A/C/S, E138A/K/T, L74I (see section 5.1). To what extent dolutegravir provides added efficacy in the presence of such integrase class resistance is uncertain.

Liver biochemistry elevations consistent with immune reconstitution syndrome were observed in some hepatitis B and/or C co-infected patients at the start of dolutegravir therapy. Monitoring of liver biochemistries is recommended in patients with hepatitis B and/or C co-infection. Particular diligence should be applied in initiating or maintaining effective hepatitis B therapy (referring to treatment guidelines) when starting dolutegravir-based therapy in hepatitis B co-infected patients.

Factors that decrease dolutegravir exposure should be avoided in the presence of integrase class resistance. This includes co-administration with medicinal products that reduce dolutegravir exposure (e.g. magnesium/ aluminium-containing antacid, iron and calcium supplements, multivitamins and inducing agents, etravirine (without boosted protease inhibitors), tipranavir/ritonavir, rifampicin, St. John's wort and certain anti-epileptic medicinal products).

Dolutegravir increased metformin concentrations. A dose adjustment of metformin should be considered when starting and stopping co-administration of dolutegravir with metformin, to maintain glycaemic control. Metformin is eliminated renally and, therefore, it is of importance to monitor renal function when co-treated with dolutegravir. This combination may increase the risk for lactic acidosis in patients with moderate renal impairment (stage 3a creatinine clearance [CrCl] 45– 59 mL/min) and a cautious approach is recommended. Reduction of the metformin dose should be highly considered.

All factors that decrease dolutegravir exposure should be avoided in the presence of integrase class resistance.

In clinical development programme the most severe adverse reaction, seen in an individual patient, was a hypersensitivity reaction that included rash and severe liver effects. The most commonly seen treatment emergent adverse reactions were nausea (13%), diarrhoea (18%) and headache (13%).

Epivir 300mg tablets

Epivir (lamivudine) is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Lamivudine is not recommended for use as monotherapy.

Renal impairment: In patients with moderate to severe renal impairment, the terminal plasma half-life of lamivudine is increased due to decreased clearance, therefore the dose should be adjusted

Pancreatitis: Cases of pancreatitis have occurred rarely. However, it is not clear whether these cases were due to the antiretroviral treatment or to the underlying HIV disease. Treatment with lamivudine should be stopped immediately if clinical signs, symptoms or laboratory abnormalities suggestive of pancreatitis occur.

Weight and metabolic parameters: An increase in weight and in levels of blood lipids and glucose may occur during antiretroviral therapy. Such changes may in part be linked to disease control and life style. For lipids, there is in some cases evidence for a treatment effect, while for weight gain there is no strong evidence relating this to any particular treatment. For monitoring of blood lipids and glucose reference is made to established HIV treatment guidelines. Lipid disorders should be managed as clinically appropriate.

Liver disease: If lamivudine is being used concomitantly for the treatment of HIV and HBV, additional information relating to the use of lamivudine in the treatment of hepatitis B infection is available in the Zeffix SPC.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C and treated with combination antiretroviral therapy are at an increased risk of severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse events. In case of concomitant antiviral therapy for hepatitis B or C, please refer also to the relevant product information for these medicinal products.

If lamivudine is discontinued in patients co-infected with hepatitis B virus, periodic monitoring of liver function tests and markers of HBV replication is recommended, as withdrawal of lamivudine may result in an acute exacerbation of hepatitis.

Patients with pre-existing liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis, have an increased frequency of liver function abnormalities during combination antiretroviral therapy, and should be monitored according to standard practice. If there is evidence of worsening liver disease in such patients, interruption or discontinuation of treatment must be considered.

Drug Interactions: Lamivudine should not be taken with any other medicinal products containing lamivudine or medicinal products containing emtricitabine. The combination of lamivudine with cladribine is not-recommended.

The following common adverse reactions have been reported during therapy for HIV disease with lamivudine. Common: (≥1/100 to <1/10); Headache, insomnia, cough, nasal symptoms, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhoea, rash, alopecia, Arthralgia, muscle disorders, fatigue, malaise, fever.

Please refer to the full European Summary of Product Characteristics for both products for full prescribing information, including contraindications, special warnings and precautions for use.

About ViiV Healthcare

ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 by GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV and for people who are at risk of becoming infected with HIV. Shionogi joined in October 2012. The company’s aim is to take a deeper and broader interest in HIV/AIDS than any company has done before and to take a new approach to deliver effective and innovative medicines for HIV treatment and prevention, as well as support communities affected by HIV.

For more information on the company, its management, portfolio, pipeline, and commitment, please visit www.viivhealthcare.com.

About GSK GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For more information visit www.gsk.com/about-us

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D Principal risks and uncertainties in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2017.

[i]ViiV Healthcare. Data on file. 16^th November 2018

[ii] Cahn P, et al. 2018 Non-Inferior Efficacy of Dolutegravir (DTG) Plus Lamivudine (3TC) vs DTG Plus Tenofovir/Emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) Fixed-Dose Combination in Antiretroviral Treatment–Naive Adults With HIV-1 Infection—Week 48 Results From the GEMINI Studies. Presented at the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018), 23-27 July 2018, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

[iii] ViiV Healthcare. 2018 Press Release. ViiV Healthcare submits regulatory application to European Medicines Agency for single-tablet, two-drug regimen of dolutegravir and lamivudine for treatment of HIV. Available at: https://www.viivhealthcare.com/media/press-releases/2018/viiv-healthcare-submits-regulatory-application-to-european-medicines-agency-for-single-tablet-two-drug-regimen-of-dolutegravir-and-lamivudine-for-treatment-of-hiv.aspx Last accessed November 2018.

[iv] ViiV Healthcare. 2018 Press Release. ViiV Healthcare submits New Drug Application to US FDA for single-tablet, two-drug regimen of dolutegravir and lamivudine for treatment of HIV. Available at: https://www.viivhealthcare.com/media/press-releases/viiv-healthcare-submits-new-drug-application-to-us-fda-for-single-tablet-two-drug-regimen-of-dolutegravir-and-lamivudine-for-treatment-of-hiv.aspx Last accessed November 2018.

[v] Tivicay (dolutegravir) European Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.ema.europa.eu/documents/product-information/epivir-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed November 2018.

[vi] ViiV Healthcare. Data on File

[vii] European Medicines Agency. Epivir (lamivudine) European Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/documents/product-information/epivir-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed November 2018.

[viii] ClinicalTrials.gov. 2016. An Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability Study Comparing Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine With Dolutegravir Plus Tenofovir/Emtricitabine in Treatment naïve HIV Infected Subjects (Gemini 1). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02831673 Last accessed October 2018.

[ix] ClinicalTrials.gov. 2016. An Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability Study Comparing Dolutegravir (DTG) Plus Lamivudine (3TC) With Dolutegravir Plus Tenofovir/Emtricitabine in Treatment naïve HIV Infected Subjects (Gemini 2). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02831764 Last accessed October 2018.