The Effect of Biktarvy (B/F/TAF) on Whole-body Insulin Sensitivity, Lipid and Endocrine Profile in Healthy Volunteers

This study will investigate changes in insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and endocrine profile in HIV-negative subjects exposed to Biktarvy (B/F/TAF) compared to subject not exposed to B/F/TAF for 28 days.

A randomised, crossover study investigating the difference in changes in insulin sensitivity (determined by peripheral glucose uptake using a euglycaemic clamp) with the administration of Biktarvy (B/F/TAF) compared to no B/F/TAF for 28 days in HIV seronegative healthy volunteers.

Group 1:

B/F/TAF tablet once daily for the first 28 days of the study. No treatment for the last 44 days of the study.

Group 2:

No treatment for the first 28 days of the study. B/F/TAF tablet once daily for the last 28 days of the study (day 44-72).

Research bloods, endocrine profiles, weight and urine samples will be collected at baseline, as well as day 28, 44, and 72 to enable comparative analyses.

Participants will be closely monitored whilst taking the study medications. Participants will exit the study 72 days post-randomisation, with a follow-up call 28 days after exiting.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing and able to provide informed consent
* Cis-Male and Cis-Female healthy subjects without underlying conditions
* Cis-Male and Cis-Female subjects with recruitment stratified to include at least 6 female subjects and at least 6 subjects of black Africa origin
* Subjects must have documented negative HIV serology by ELISA and P24 antigen and not receiving anti-HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP)
* Subjects must be clinically well volunteers aged between 18 to 60 years with BMI \<30 kg/m2 but \>18 kg/m2
* Healthy, as determined by the investigator or medically qualified designee based on a medical evaluation, including medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and cardiac evaluation (including ECG)
* Non-fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides within normal limits
* Subjects should have complete blood count (FBC) with normal differential and platelet count
* A female, may be eligible to enter and participate in the study if she:

  * is of non-child-bearing potential defined as either post-menopausal (12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea and ≥45 years of age) or physically incapable of becoming pregnant with documented tubal ligation, hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy or,
  * is of child-bearing potential with a negative pregnancy test at both Screening and Day 1 and agrees to use one of the following methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy:
  * Complete abstinence from penile-vaginal intercourse. Abstinence is acceptable only as true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant;
  * Any intrauterine device with published data showing that the expected failure rate is \<1% per year (not all intrauterine devices meet this criterion, see Appendix 6\] for an example listing of approved intrauterine devices);
  * Male partner sterilization confirmed prior to the female subject's entry into the study, and this male is the sole partner for that subject;
  * Approved hormonal contraception (see Appendix 6\] for a listing of examples of approved hormonal contraception)\*;
  * Any other method with published data showing that the expected failure rate is \<1% per year
* Men who have partners who are women of childbearing potential (WOCBP - definition in Appendix 6) must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid pregnancy in their partner throughout the study and for a period of at least 4 weeks after the study;
* Complete abstinence from penile-vaginal intercourse. Abstinence is acceptable only as true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient;
* Double barrier method (male condom/spermicide, male condom/diaphragm, diaphragm/spermicide);
* Any intrauterine device (IUD) with published data showing that the expected failure rate is \<1% per year (not all IUDs meet this criterion, see Appendix 4 for an example listing of approved IUDs) plus male condom;
* Sterilisation confirmed prior to the subject's entry into the study
* Approved hormonal contraception used by female partner (see protocol appendix 4 for a listing of examples of approved hormonal contraception) plus male condom;
* Any other method with published data showing that the expected failure rate is \<1% per year and not containing hormones plus male condom.
* Any contraception method must be used consistently, in accordance with the approved product label and for at least four weeks after discontinuation of IMP (Appendix 6).

Any contraception method must be used consistently, in accordance with the approved product label and for at least 28 days prior to the first dose of study medication and 4 weeks after discontinuing the study medication.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with a waist hip ratio \> 0.97 or BMI \> 30kg/m2 and BMI \<18 kg/m2 will be excluded
* Acute or chronic hepatitis B infection (determined by positive hepatitis B surface antigen result at the screening visit)
* Acute or chronic hepatitis C infection (determined by positive hepatitis C antibody result at the screening visit)
* Diabetes mellitus, other metabolic syndrome or disease process in the opinion of the investigator likely to cause marked disturbance in glucose and lipid homeostasis including hypertension. Subject with HbA1c \>42 mmol/mol will be excluded.
* History or presence of allergy to the B/F/TAF
* ALT greater than or equal to 1.5 x ULN and total bilirubin greater than or equal to 1.5 x ULN excluded;
* Pregnancy and breastfeeding women
* Alcohol consumption \>10 units/week
* Clinically relevant drug use (positive urine drug screen) or history of alcohol or drug use considered by the Investigator to be sufficient to hinder compliance with treatment, follow-up procedures or evaluation of adverse events. Smoking is permitted, but tobacco intake should remain consistent throughout the study.
* Unable to refrain from the use of prescription (e.g., dofetilide) or non-prescription drugs, including vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements (including St John's wort) within 7 days (or 14 days if the drug is a potential enzyme inducer) or 5 half-lives prior to the baseline visit and throughout the study until the follow-up period, unless in the opinion of the Investigator the medication will not interfere with the study procedures or compromise participant safety.
* This includes on-going therapy with any of the following

  * Metabolically active medications
  * Any lipid-lowering medication
  * Hormonal agents (oestrogens or androgens)
  * Glucocorticoids including inhaled steroids except for 'as necessary' use
  * Beta-blockers
  * Thiazide diuretics and indapamide
  * Thyroid preparations
  * Psychotropic agents
  * Anabolic steroids
  * Megestrol acetate
  * Dofetilide (or pilsicainide)