Evaluating Dolutegravir in HIV-exposed Newborns

Open Label, Single Arm, Two-stage Trial to Evaluate the Single and Multi-dose Pharmacokinetics and Safety of the Paediatric Dolutegravir (10 mg, Scored) Dispersible Tablet in HIV-exposed Neonates

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Desmond Tutu TB Centre · NCT05590325

This study is testing if a new HIV medication called Dolutegravir is safe and effective for newborns who were exposed to HIV at birth.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment56 (estimated)
Ages1 Day to 14 Days
SexAll
SponsorDesmond Tutu TB Centre Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Trial IDNCT05590325 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase I/II trial aims to assess the pharmacokinetics and safety of Dolutegravir (DTG) in HIV-exposed neonates who are on antiretroviral prophylaxis. The study will enroll term neonates born to mothers with HIV who are receiving DTG-based therapy, with a focus on those with a birth weight of 2000 grams or more. Participants will be divided into two stages, where the first stage evaluates a single dose of DTG, and the second stage assesses multiple doses. The trial will monitor the infants for safety and efficacy during the first 28 days of life.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include HIV-exposed neonates born to mothers on DTG-based antiretroviral therapy with a birth weight of 2000 grams or more.

Not a fit: Patients who are less than 37 weeks gestational age at birth or have known blood group incompatibilities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a safe and effective treatment option for HIV-exposed neonates, potentially reducing the risk of HIV transmission.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in evaluating antiretroviral therapies in neonates, but this specific approach with Dolutegravir is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Stage 1: Inclusion Criteria

  * HIV-exposed neonate (pending HIV status) born to a woman within HIV on DTG-based ART
  * Birth weight of ≥2000 g and on standard of care ARV prophylaxis

Cohort Specific Inclusion Criteria in Stage 1 must be met at Study Entry:

Cohort 1A: Infant \<14 days of life Cohort 1B: Infant ≤3 days of life

Stage 2: Inclusion Criteria

* Low risk\* HIV-exposed neonate (pending HIV status) born to a virologically suppressed woman on DTG-based ART

  \*Neonate born to a woman with a documented plasma HIV-1 RNA result \<50 copies/mL in the 4 weeks prior to delivery or between delivery and infant study entry
* Birth weight of ≥2000 g and on standard of care ARV prophylaxis

Cohort Specific Inclusion Criteria in Stage 2 must be met at Study Entry:

Cohort 2: Infant \<7 days of life

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Less than 37 weeks gestational age at birth

  * Known blood group incompatibilities which can result in hemolytic disease of the newborn (e.g., Rh-negative mother, presence of antibodies on neonatal red blood cells, etc.)
  * Total bilirubin values approaching an exchange transfusion as defined by local guidelines (Section 18.2)
  * Haemoglobin value of \<13.0 g/dL
  * Platelet count of less than 50,000 cells/mm3)
  * Decreased total white blood cell count (Grade 3 and above)
  * Creatinine value more than 1.3 the upper limit of normal (ULN) for gestational age and postnatal age (Grade 2 and above)
  * AST or ALT of more than 2.5 the ULN (Grade 2 and above)
  * Any other current Grade ≥3 event on the DAIDS toxicity table
  * Severe congenital abnormalities or critically ill neonates at discretion of the examining clinician
  * Receiving medicine(s) that can impact DTG pharmacokinetics (Section 8.7)
  * Participation in another clinical trial
  * HIV-infected neonates

Where this trial is running

Cape Town, Western Cape

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HivHIV exposedNeonates
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.