Scientists have just announced the results from the first clinical trial in people with HIV-1 of a new antiretroviral drug, which suggests it could be a very useful new tool in treating the virus.

The drug is currently known as ‘VH-499’ (that’s short for VH4011499), and it works by inhibiting the virus’s capsid protein, without which HIV cannot proliferate to harmful or transmissible levels.

“Advancements in care and prevention have transformed HIV-1 into a manageable chronic condition and reduced transmission rates,” write clinical pharmacologist Rulan Griesel and team in a paper announcing the clinical trial results.