HIV drug performs well in 10-day trial

[shawmut]

By Brett Arends
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

There was cheering news for people with HIV yesterday from Watertown biotech firm Panacos Pharmaceuticals.

Phase 2a trials of its treatment PA-457 showed it had slashed the blood levels of HIV by around 90 percent, the company said.

<>

In the trial, PA-457 was taken as a pill once a day for just 10 days. The amount of HIV in the blood fell by an average of 90 percent in people who took the highest dose, 200 milligrams.


The test sample was small: just 33 people. Nonetheless, good news is good news. CEO Skip Ackerman plans further trials early next year and hopes to apply for regulatory approval for the drug by ``early 2008.'' PA-457 has been granted ``fast-track status'' by the Food and Drug Administration.


http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=99219

[Sgent]

1. Yea

Great news... of course an equally compelling trial was just published with Depakote -- and depakote is 20yrs old and no patent.

[AngryAmish]

2. Is that the drug they were talking about a "cure for HIV"?

It was said to activate some of the cells where HIV lies dormanant and thus difficult to kill with the usual anti-viral drugs?

(Please forgive any errors I have. Infectious diseases are not a specialty of mine.)

[Sgent]

4. I don't know about cure

The doctor in charge of the study used that word, most others are a little more hesitant -- but yes Depakote is the drug they were referring to.

Depakote has been around for 20+ years for use as a anti-convolusent and anti-manic. This means its side effects are well known, and although occassionally severe, they are nothing like aids (weight gain seems to be the most common).

[asjr]

3. I hope with all my heart this disease can be cured

shortly. I lost a very dear friend and co-worker to Aids in 1989.

[ecoalex]

5. Tetrasil infusion is an aids cure, the CDC has a patented vaccine

Google tetrasil infusion, for the vaccine go to www.boydgraves.com

There is a cure for aids and a vaccine

Unless you are waiting for the drug cos to gouge you

[xchrom]

6. ya gotta love good news like that!

[truthbetold]

7. I'm betting...

There's already a cure for AIDS and/or several types of cancer.
But do you think that the medical community would dare reveal them? Of course not, think of how many people would lose their jobs if no one ever stayed sick!
It's all about money.