11:31 AM EST, 03/06/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Merck ( MRK ) and Gilead Sciences ( GILD ) said Tuesday that results from week 24 of the phase 2 trial evaluating the combination of islatravir and lenacapavir support the combination therapy's continued development as a potential treatment option for virologically suppressed people with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

"The potent antiviral activities, along with pharmacokinetic profiles of islatravir and lenacapavir, support their development as an investigational once-weekly oral combination regimen," the companies said. The combination maintained a high rate of viral suppression at week 24 of the trial, they said.

Merck ( MRK ) and Gilead Sciences ( GILD ) said the phase 2 study will continue through week 48, with longer-term data to be released at a future scientific conference.

Shares of Merck ( MRK ) rose 1.5% in recent trading Wednesday, and Gilead gained 0.1%.

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