Oral Islatravir (MK-8591) Once-Monthly as Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Men and Transgender Women Who Are at High Risk for HIV-1 Infection (MK-8591-024)

A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Islatravir Once-Monthly as Preexposure Prophylaxis in Cisgender Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men, and Are at High Risk for HIV-1 Infection

The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of oral Islatravir (ISL) once monthly (QM) as Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who have sex with men and who are at high risk of HIV-1 infection with 48 or 96 weeks of treatment and a minimum follow-up of 42 days.

Based on laboratory findings of decreased lymphocyte and CD4+ T-cell counts across the islatravir program, dosing of blinded study intervention was halted on 13-Dec-2021. Blinded assessments conducted prior to then are designated as Study Part 1. During Study Part 2, participants from Part 1 were switched to PrEP therapy with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil (FTC/TDF) or emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (FTC/TAF) while continuing in the study, but participants, investigators, and Sponsor personnel remained blinded to the Part 1 treatment. In Part 3, participants, investigators, and all Sponsor personnel are unblinded to participant's original randomized intervention group, and participants may continue to receive unblinded FTC/TDF or FTC/TAF.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has confirmed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) uninfected based on negative HIV-1/HIV-2 test result before randomization
• Is sexually active with male or transgender women (TGW) partners defined as having anal sexual intercourse with a man or TGW at least once in the past month
• Is at high risk for sexually acquiring HIV-1 infection based on self-report of at least 1 of the following: a) Condomless receptive anal intercourse in the 6 months prior to screening occurring outside a mutually monogamous HIV seronegative concordant relationship b) More than 5 partners (anal intercourse) in the 6 months prior to screening c) Any unprescribed stimulant drug use in the 6 months prior to screening d) Rectal or urethral gonorrhea or chlamydia or incident syphilis in the 6 months prior to screening
• Participants 16 or 17 years of age must weigh ≥35 kg. Enrollment for 16- to 17-year-old participants will begin only after completion of the Sentinel Cohort IA and review of IA results by the external data monitoring committee (eDMC)
• Has no plans to relocate or travel away from the site for ≥4 consecutive weeks during study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has hypersensitivity or other contraindication to any component of the study interventions as determined by the investigator
• Has chronic HBV infection or past HBV infection which could indicate risk for Hepatitis B reactivation
• Has known current or chronic history of liver disease or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities, unless the participant has stable liver function tests and no evidence of hepatic synthetic dysfunction
• Has a history of malignancy within 5 years of screening except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or in situ anal cancers
• Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, laboratory abnormality or other circumstance that might, in the opinion of the investigator, confound the results of the study or interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, such that it is not in the best interest of the participant to enroll
• Has taken cabotegravir, lenacapavir, or any other long-acting HIV prevention product at any time
• Is currently receiving or is anticipated to require any prohibited therapies outlined in the study from 30 days prior to Day 1 through the duration of the study
• Is currently participating in or has participated in an interventional or prevention clinical study with an investigational compound or device, within 30 days prior to Day 1 through the duration of the study
• Has exclusionary laboratory values within 45 days prior to Day 1