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Cabotegravir (CAB) LA
Cabotegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that blocks HIV integrase, preventing the virus from inserting its genetic material into human DNA.
Cabotegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that blocks HIV integrase, preventing the virus from inserting its genetic material into human DNA. Used for HIV-1 infection in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced adults (long-acting intramuscular formulation), HIV-1 prevention in at-risk individuals (PrEP indication under investigation).
At a glance
| Generic name | Cabotegravir (CAB) LA |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Vocabria |
| Sponsor | Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation |
| Drug class | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) |
| Target | HIV integrase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Virology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Cabotegravir inhibits HIV integrase, an enzyme essential for viral replication. By blocking integrase activity, the drug prevents integration of viral DNA into the host cell genome, thereby halting HIV replication. The long-acting formulation (CAB LA) is administered as an intramuscular injection, providing sustained drug levels over weeks to months.
Approved indications
- HIV-1 infection in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced adults (long-acting intramuscular formulation)
- HIV-1 prevention in at-risk individuals (PrEP indication under investigation)
Common side effects
- Injection site reactions (pain, induration, erythema)
- Headache
- Pyrexia
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Myalgia
Key clinical trials
- Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Long-acting Intramuscular Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine for Maintenance of Virologic Suppression Following Switch From an Integrase Inhibitor in HIV-1 Infected Therapy Naive Participants (PHASE3)
- Injectable Cabotegravir Compared to TDF/FTC For PrEP in HIV-Uninfected Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- A Study to Investigate the Virologic Efficacy and Safety of VH3810109 + Cabotegravir Compared to Standard of Care (SOC) in Male and Female Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (PHASE2)
- A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Participant Choice and Preference of an Oral Once-daily Regimen or a Long-acting Injectable Regimen Every Two Months for Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) in Adults Who Have Not Previously Taken Antiretroviral Therapy (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Long-acting (LA) Cabotegravir (CAB) + Rilpivirine (RPV) LA When Given to Participants With Detectable HIV-1 (PHASE3)
- Tshireletso: Safety, Efficacy and Feasibility of Cabotegravir-LA PrEP in a Breastfeeding Population in Botswana (PHASE4)
- Implementation of Long-acting Cabotegravir + Rilpivirine Administration Out of "HIV Units". (NA)
- ALIGN: A Non-randomised Study Delivering Injectable Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention Within a Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Choice Context in Cape Town, South Africa.
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Cabotegravir (CAB) LA CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Cabotegravir (CAB) LA updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation portfolio CI