GlaxoSmithKline completes study for new HIV drug

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and its research partner, Shionogi, have announced they have completed a clinical trial for an integrase inhibitor called 364735.

Integrase inhibitors are a new class of drug used to prevent HIV viruses transferring their genetic information into human immune cells.

Because integrase is an enzyme unique to the virus and not found in the human body, it is an attractive antigen-specific target for research. Phase I trials to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of 364735 have been completed, the details of which will be presented later this year, while the results of the latest trial enable researchers to select an appropriate range of doses for a phase II trials.

Dr Lynn Marks, senior vice president of the medicines development centre for infectious diseases at GSK, commented: “Development of new antiretroviral drugs with different viral targets, resistance profiles and improved safety and tolerability is urgently needed for both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, especially those with multi-drug resistant HIV.”

“Recent findings suggest integrase inhibitors may help meet many of these continuing medical needs,” she added.

Dr Isao Teshirogi, senior executive officer for research and development at Shinogi, concluded by saying that integrase would continue to be an important target for HIV research.

Yesterday, Merck Sharp & Dohme announced that an integrase inhibitor it has developed offers similar effectiveness to Sustiva, the Bristol-Myers Squibb drug. Martin Markowitz, clinical director and staff investigator at Aaron Diamond Aids Research Centre, New York, said integrase inhibitors represent an “exciting” breakthrough in HIV treatment.

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