The company stands a strong chance of winning approval for lenacapavir as a twice-yearly injectable drug for preventing HIV infection, though market challenges remain.

The drug maker reported Q2 product sales of $6.9bn, more than analyst consensus for the quarter, and raised its full-year guidance.

Results from the top Japanese pharma firms in the fiscal first quarter were marked mainly by strong global performances for mainstay products and significant currency effects due to the continued weakness of the yen, although forex concerns are rising. Eisai's Alzheimer's drug Leqembi also gained momentum, particularly in the US. 

A Phase IV study showed that ViiV’s Dovato was non-inferior to Gilead’s Biktarvy on efficacy and produced less weight gain.