Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential of Budigalimab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody developed by AbbVie, as a treatment for HIV infection, highlighting its safety and efficacy in a Phase 1b clinical trial, which may lead to a paradigm shift in HIV treatment by enabling "ART-free" control of the virus [2][3][8]. Group 1: Background on HIV and Current Treatments - Approximately 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, making it a significant public health threat [2]. - Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment that suppresses HIV replication but does not cure the infection, requiring daily medication which poses adherence challenges [2]. Group 2: Budigalimab Clinical Trial Overview - Budigalimab is a humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody designed to reverse immune exhaustion in chronic HIV-1 infection [6]. - The Phase 1b clinical trial involved 41 HIV-infected participants, assessing safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics through multiple low-dose intravenous injections [6][7]. Group 3: Trial Results and Efficacy - The trial demonstrated good tolerability of Budigalimab, with 29 out of 41 participants experiencing adverse events, mostly mild and unrelated to the treatment [7]. - In a 12-week exploratory efficacy analysis, 6 out of 11 participants showed delayed HIV viral rebound after treatment interruption, indicating potential for sustained viral control without ART [7][8]. Group 4: Implications for Future Research - The successful outcomes of the Phase 1b trial support further Phase 2 clinical trials, aiming to explore the feasibility of "ART-free" HIV control through immune modulation [8].

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is one of Jim Cramer’s Recession-Proof Stock Picks. Cramer calls the stock his ‘absolute favorite,’ and it is followed by updates on the completion of two key studies. Cramer’s ‘Absolute Favorite’ AbbVie Rises After Study Completions and Upgrade At the beginning of this month, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) announced the completion of a key study on ABBV-101’s food interaction and a Phase 2 study of Budigalimab and/or ABBV-382 on HIV. Following the update from the company, the stock’s w ...