Roche extends agreement for “next generation” HIV drugs

Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, has extended an agreement with Trimeris for the research of “next-generation” HIV inhibitors.

The two companies had a prior arrangement which has now been extended through to December 31st, 2008.

Roche and Trimeris, an American pharmaceutical research company, have been researching next generation fusion inhibitor (NGFI) peptides. So far, the collaboration that started in 2000 has yielded two candidates for further development: TRI-999 and TRI-1144.

The companies, which have split development and commercialisation costs equally between themselves, chose TRI-1144 as the lead candidate for further development and have abandoned research into TRI-999.

Dr Dani P Bolognesi, chief scientific officer and vice chairman of Trimeris, stated: “The collaboration will continue focusing its efforts on conducting further studies with TRI-1144, including the development of extended release formulations for this promising compound in order to meet our desired product profile.”

Jonathan Knowles, Roche’s president of global research, added: “We are pleased to extend our productive working relationship with Trimeris on the NGFI programme. Bringing innovative treatments to HIV patients is an important goal for Roche.”

Roche has already produced a number of therapies indicated for the treatment of HIV, including Invirase, Viracept, Valcyte and Fuzeon – another drug developed with Trimeris.

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