Health Canada has approved CABENUVA (cabotegravir and rilpivirine extended release injectable suspensions), a product from Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, claimed to be the first and only once-monthly, long-acting regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults, it was reported on Friday.

The product is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults to replace the present antiretroviral regimen in patients who are virologically stable and suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per millilitre [mL]). It is a co-packaged kit with two separate injectable medicines, Janssen's rilpivirine and ViiV Healthcare's cabotegravir.

The product was co-developed as part of a collaboration with ViiV Healthcare and is based on Janssen's 25-year commitment to make HIV history. ViiV Healthcare holds marketing authorisation for CABENUVA in Canada.