Late-breaker presentations will highlight investigational, once-weekly oral combinations of islatravir with lenacapavir (Phase 3 ISL/LEN) and with ulonivirine (Phase 2b ISL+ULO) in adults with virologically-suppressed HIV-1
RAHWAY, N.J., July 15, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that new data from its research pipeline for HIV treatment and prevention will be presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026), taking place July 26-31, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"Building on the momentum of the recent FDA approval of IDVYNSO, AIDS 2026 is an exciting moment to showcase the next chapter of Merck's HIV pipeline – particularly our focus on the potential of once-weekly oral treatments in combination with islatravir," said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. "The breadth of new data spanning our daily, weekly and monthly investigational regimens developed for HIV treatment and prevention demonstrates how Merck's research is continuing to evolve with the needs of the HIV community."
Oral late-breaker presentations at AIDS 2026 by program:
Islatravir/Lenacapavir
Primary results of Week 48 efficacy and safety data from the pivotal, Phase 3 ISLEND-1 trial evaluating switch to investigational once-weekly oral islatravir and lenacapavir (ISL/LEN) compared to continuing daily regimen of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) in adults with virologically-suppressed HIV-1 (Abstract #OAB1406LB).
Primary results of Week 48 efficacy and safety data from pivotal Phase 3 ISLEND-2 trial evaluating switch to investigational once-weekly oral islatravir and lenacapavir (ISL/LEN) compared to continuing daily standard of care in adults with virologically-suppressed HIV-1 (Abstract #OAX1106LB).
Islatravir + Ulonivirine
Primary results of Week 24 efficacy and safety data from the Phase 2b MK-8591B-060 trial evaluating switch to investigational once-weekly oral islatravir and ulonivirine (ISL + ULO) compared to continuing daily BIC/FTC/TAF in adults with virologically-suppressed HIV-1 (Abstract #OAB1405LB).
Doravirine/Islatravir
Switching to doravirine/islatravir (100/0.25 mg) once-daily maintained viral suppression at Week 96 in the presence of baseline NNRTI resistance-associated mutations and/or M184I/V in proviral DNA (Abstract #OAB0105LB).
Merck symposia during AIDS 2026
Merck will host a policy symposium entitled "Access where it counts: Expanding PrEP beyond clinics" on Wednesday, July 29, from 18:00 – 19:30 (BRT/UTC-3).