Symtuza Approved for U.S. Use

Although this combination of darunavir, cobicistat, tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine had already been approved and is in use as an HIV treatment in Europe, it has finally received approval by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S.

The first darunavir-based single-pill regimen showed to retain viral suppression in HIV-positive people, with fewer pills and lowered risk of resistance. 

Phase three findings for Symtuza were initially reported at the 2017 AIDS conference in Milan, Italy.

Symtuza is a singled-tablet medication used to treat HIV-1 in adults who, according to the press release from Janssen pharmaceuticals, “have either not received anti-HIV-1 medication in the past” or “healthcare providers determine they meet certain requirements." Its combo of treatments make this a one stop “multi-pill” regimen.

“Darunavir is one of the most widely used HIV treatments,” noted Lawrence M. Blatt, Ph.D., the global therapeutics area head at Janssen Infectious Diseases Therapeutics, in 2017. The reason is “due to its ability to control the HIV virus while offering a high barrier to resistance.”

Drug resistance is a growing concern in the treatment of HIV as more people stay on antiretroviral drugs long-term.