HIV treatment taken only every two months is moving closer to reality. Researchers are conducting an ongoing Phase IIb trial of a long-acting form of ViiV’s integrase inhibitor cabotegravir and Janssen’s non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor Edurant (rilpivirine) given as an injection every four or eight weeks. The treatment has proved safe and generally well tolerated and combats HIV as well as a daily oral regimen. The injections, given by a clinician, go into the buttocks muscle and can cause pain lasting a few days. Nevertheless, more than 95 percent of those receiving the injections said they were satisfied with their treatment, compared with only 71 percent of those who took standard oral meds instead. The pharma companies intend to start Phase III trials of long-acting cabotegravir/Edurant given every eight weeks later this year. If the research is successful, the treatment will likely hit the market in 2019.