2.1 Adherence to Treatment Regimen

Prior to starting SUNLENCA, healthcare providers should carefully select patients who agree to the required every 6 month injection dosing schedule and counsel patients about the importance of adherence to scheduled SUNLENCA dosing visits and concomitant oral antiretroviral therapy to help maintain viral suppression and reduce the risk of viral rebound and potential development of resistance with missed doses [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Microbiology (12.4)].

2.2 Recommended Dosage

SUNLENCA can be initiated using one of the two recommended dosage regimens in Table 1 and Table 2 below. Maintenance dosing is administered by subcutaneous injection every 6 months regardless of the initiation regimen. Healthcare providers should determine the appropriate initiation regimen for the patient. SUNLENCA oral tablets may be taken with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

2.3 Recommended Dosing Schedule for Missed Dose

2.4 Preparation and Administration of Subcutaneous Injection

SUNLENCA injection is only for subcutaneous administration into the abdomen by a healthcare provider. Do NOT administer intradermally due to risk of serious injection site reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Use aseptic technique. Visually inspect the solution in the vials and prepared syringe for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. SUNLENCA injection is a yellow solution. Do not use SUNLENCA injection if the solution is discolored or if it contains particulate matter. Once the solution is withdrawn from the vials, the subcutaneous injections should be administered as soon as possible [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)].

There are two available injection kits, which differ only in how SUNLENCA injection is prepared (the components and associated method for withdrawal of the solution from the vials) [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. Refer to the figures below for the relevant injection kit.

The injection kit components are for single use only. Two 1.5 mL injections are required for a complete dose.

SUNLENCA tablets: Each tablet contains 300 mg of lenacapavir (present as 306.8 mg of lenacapavir sodium). The tablets are beige, capsule-shaped, film-coated, and debossed with 'GSI' on one side of the tablet and '62L' on the other side of the tablet.

SUNLENCA injection: Each single-dose vial contains 463.5 mg/1.5 mL (309 mg/mL) of lenacapavir (present as 473.1 mg/1.5 mL of lenacapavir sodium). The lenacapavir injectable solution is sterile, preservative-free, clear, and yellow with no visible particles.

5.1 Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections [such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), or tuberculosis], which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.

Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease, polymyositis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.

5.2 Long-Acting Properties and Potential Associated Risks with SUNLENCA

Residual concentrations of lenacapavir may remain in the systemic circulation of patients for prolonged periods (up to 12 months or longer after the last subcutaneous dose). It is important to counsel patients that maintenance dosing by injection is required every 6 months, because missed doses or non-adherence to injections could lead to loss of virologic response and development of resistance [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

Lenacapavir, a moderate CYP3A inhibitor, may increase the exposure to, and therefore potential risk of adverse reactions from, drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A initiated within 9 months after the last subcutaneous dose of SUNLENCA [see Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology (7.2, 12.3)].

If SUNLENCA is discontinued, to minimize the potential risk of developing viral resistance, it is essential to initiate an alternative, fully suppressive antiretroviral regimen where possible no later than 28 weeks after the final injection of SUNLENCA. If virologic failure occurs during treatment, switch the patient to an alternative regimen if possible [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

5.3 Injection Site Reactions

Administration of SUNLENCA may result in local injection site reactions (ISRs). If clinically significant ISRs occur, evaluate and institute appropriate therapy and follow-up.

Manifestations of ISRs may include swelling, pain, erythema, nodule, induration, pruritus, extravasation or mass. Nodules and indurations at the injection site may take longer to resolve than other ISRs. In clinical studies, after a median follow-up of 553 days, 30% of nodules and 13% of indurations (in 10% and 1% of participants, respectively) associated with the first injections of SUNLENCA had not fully resolved. Measurements and qualitative assessments of ISRs were not routinely reported. Where described, the majority of the injection site nodules and indurations were palpable but not visible, and had a maximum size of approximately 1 to 4 cm [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

The mechanism driving the persistence of injection site nodules and indurations in some patients is not fully understood, but based on available data, they may be related to the presence of the subcutaneous drug depot. In some patients who had a skin biopsy performed of an injection site nodule or induration, dermatopathology revealed foreign body inflammation or granulomatous response.

Improper administration (intradermal injection) has been associated with serious injection site reactions, including necrosis and ulcer [see Adverse Reactions (6)]. Ensure SUNLENCA is only administered subcutaneously in the abdomen [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The primary safety assessment of SUNLENCA was based on data from heavily treatment-experienced adult participants with HIV who received SUNLENCA in a Phase 2/3 trial (CAPELLA; N=72) through Week 52 (median duration on study of 71 weeks) [see Clinical Studies (14)], as well as supportive data in treatment-naïve adult participants with HIV who received SUNLENCA in a Phase 2 trial (CALIBRATE; N=157) through Week 54 (median duration of exposure of 66 weeks).

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) reported in at least 3% of participants in CAPELLA were nausea and injection site reactions. The proportion of partcipants in CAPELLA who discontinued treatment with SUNLENCA due to adverse events, regardless of severity, was 1% (Grade 1 injection site nodule in 1 participant). Table 3 displays the frequency of adverse reactions (all Grades) greater than or equal to 3% in the SUNLENCA group.

The majority (96%) of all adverse reactions associated with SUNLENCA were mild or moderate in severity.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

In addition to adverse reactions reported from clinical trials, the following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on SUNLENCA

Lenacapavir is a substrate of P-gp, UGT1A1, and CYP3A.

7.2 Effect of SUNLENCA on Other Drugs

Lenacapavir is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A. Due to the long half-life of lenacapavir following subcutaneous administration, SUNLENCA may increase the exposure of drugs primarily metabolized by CYP3A [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] initiated within 9 months after the last subcutaneous dose of SUNLENCA, which may increase the potential risk of adverse reactions. See the prescribing information of the sensitive CYP3A substrate for dosing recommendations with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A.

7.3 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions

Table 5 provides a listing of clinically significant drug interactions with recommended prevention or management strategies, but is not all inclusive. The drug interactions described are based on studies conducted with SUNLENCA or are drug interactions that may occur with SUNLENCA [see Contraindications (4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.4 Drugs without Clinically Significant Interactions with SUNLENCA

Based on drug interaction studies conducted with SUNLENCA, no clinically significant drug interactions have been observed with: darunavir/cobicistat, cobicistat, famotidine, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, tenofovir alafenamide, and voriconazole.

8.1 Pregnancy

8.2 Lactation

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of SUNLENCA have not been established in pediatric patients.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of SUNLENCA did not include sufficient numbers of participants aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients.

8.6 Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment of SUNLENCA is recommended in patients with mild, moderate or severe renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance greater than or equal to 15 mL per minute). SUNLENCA has not been studied in patients with ESRD (estimated creatinine clearance less than 15 mL per minute) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

No dosage adjustment of SUNLENCA is recommended in patients with mild (Child-Pugh Class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh Class B) hepatic impairment. SUNLENCA has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

SUNLENCA tablets are for oral administration. Each film-coated tablet contains 300 mg of lenacapavir (present as 306.8 mg lenacapavir sodium) and the following inactive ingredients: copovidone, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, and poloxamer 407. The tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing iron oxide black, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

SUNLENCA injection is for subcutaneous administration. Each single-dose vial contains 463.5 mg/1.5 mL (309 mg/mL) of lenacapavir (present as 473.1 mg/1.5 mL of lenacapavir sodium) as a sterile, preservative-free, clear, yellow solution and the following inactive ingredients: 896.3 mg of polyethylene glycol 300 (as solvent) and water for injection. The apparent pH range of the injection is 9.0–10.2.

The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

SUNLENCA is an HIV-1 antiretroviral agent [see Microbiology (12.4)].

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of lenacapavir are provided in Table 6 and Table 7. The estimated lenacapavir exposures are comparable between the two recommended dosing regimens.

Lenacapavir exposures after subcutaneous administration were similar between heavily treatment experienced participants with HIV-1 and participants without HIV-1 based on population pharmacokinetics analysis. Lenacapavir exposures (AUCtau, Cmax and Ctrough) after oral administration were 28% to 43% higher in participants with HIV-1 who were heavily treatment experienced, compared to participants without HIV-1 based on population PK analysis. These differences were not considered clinically relevant.

12.4 Microbiology

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Oral bridging

In CAPELLA across cohorts 1 and 2, 79% of participants (57/72) received SUNLENCA 300 mg once every 7 days as oral bridging. A total of 13, 29, and 15 participants started oral bridging following Weeks 26, 52, and 78 injections, respectively. The median (Q1, Q3) duration of oral bridging was 19 weeks (11, 22), and 12% (7/57) received oral bridging for at least 28 weeks.

In a post-hoc analysis, rates of virologic suppression and change from baseline in CD4+ cell counts in the subset of patients who received oral bridging were consistent before and during the oral bridging period.

SUNLENCA tablets, 300 mg are beige, capsule-shaped, and film-coated with "GSI" debossed on one side and "62L" on the other side. SUNLENCA tablets are available in a bottle and blister packs, packaged as follows:

SUNLENCA injection is packaged in one of two different injection kits containing the following:

Drug Interactions

SUNLENCA may interact with certain drugs; therefore, advise patients to report to their healthcare provider the use of any other prescription or non-prescription medication or herbal products, including St. John's wort, during treatment with SUNLENCA [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7)].

If SUNLENCA is discontinued, advise patients that SUNLENCA may remain in the body and affect certain other drugs for up to 9 months after receiving their last injection [see Drug Interactions (7.2, 7.3)].

Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider immediately of any symptoms of infection, as in some patients with advanced HIV (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Adherence to SUNLENCA

Counsel patients about the importance of continued medication adherence and scheduled visits to maintain viral suppression and to reduce risk of loss of virologic response and development of resistance. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they stop taking SUNLENCA or any other drug in their antiretroviral regimen [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Missed Dose

Inform patients that SUNLENCA can remain in the body for up to 12 months or longer after receiving their last injection. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they miss or plan to miss a scheduled injection visit and that oral SUNLENCA therapy may be used for up to 6 months to replace missed injections. Advise patients that oral dosing should be used on an interim basis only and that the maintenance injection dosage should be resumed at the earliest possible opportunity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Injection Site Reactions

Inform patients that injection site reactions (ISRs), such as swelling, pain, erythema, nodule, induration, pruritus, extravasation or mass, may occur. Nodules and indurations at the injection site may take longer to resolve than other ISRs and may be persistent. Instruct patients when to contact their healthcare provider about these reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Pregnancy Registry

Inform patients that there is an antiretroviral pregnancy registry to monitor fetal outcomes of pregnant individuals exposed to SUNLENCA [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Lactation

Inform individuals with HIV-1 that the potential risks of breastfeeding include: (1) HIV-1 transmission (in infants without HIV-1), (2) developing viral resistance (in infants with HIV), and (3) adverse reactions in a breastfed infant similar to those seen in adults [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].