Boehringer Ingelheim notes Viramune efficacy

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced positive results from a study into the HIV therapies Viramune (nevirapine) and ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (atazanavir/r), when both were combined with tenofovir and emtricitabine (Truvada).

The organisation explained that the head-to-head Arten trial demonstrated non-inferiority regarding Viramune’s efficacy in comparison to ritonavir-boosted atazanavir.

Professor Vicente Soriano, assistant director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Madrid’s Hospital Carlos III and the lead investigator in the study, said that the trial has “put to rest” any concerns over a potential lack of efficacy in Viramune.

He added: “The results confirm that the combination of Viramune and Truvada is a highly efficacious combination that offers significant benefit even more so to patients with cardiovascular risk.”

Dr Manfred Haehl, senior vice-president of medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim, stated that the Arten trial provides “additional reassurance” for doctors.

Earlier this month, the company announced the successful placement of a promissory note (Schuldschein) with a volume of 900 million euros (778 million pounds).