BMS: Boosted Reyataz offers new HIV treatment option

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has said the use of Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) boosted with ritonavir (Reyataz/r) as part of a combination therapy offers a new treatment option for adult patients infected with HIV.

According to the results of the Castle study, the once-daily use of Reyataz/r in HIV-infected treatment-naive patients showed similar antiviral efficacy to twice-weekly lopinavir with ritonavir (lopinavir/r) as part of HIV combination therapy.

Furthermore, patients administered with Reyataz/r showed lower increases from baseline in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides when compared to those receiving lopinavir/r.

Reyataz/r has this week been approved for use in untreated HIV-1 infected adult patients by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Elliot Sigal, executive vice-president, chief scientific officer and president of research and development at the company, said: “BMS is committed to developing medicines that enhance the care of people living with HIV and Aids.”

He added boosted Reyataz offers a new once-daily dosing option to healthcare professionals treating patients naïve to HIB treatment as part of combination therapy.

In August 2008, BMS announced the results of a trial subanalysis showing Reyataz taken with lopinavir as part of an HIV combination therapy showed similar results in patients regardless of gender.