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Blocviroc – an innovative treatment for HIV/AIDS. Steve English Development Head, Antivirals. The Context. HIV/AIDs is the world’s greatest threat to human health Over 40 million people are infected worldwide
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Blocviroc – an innovative treatment for HIV/AIDS Steve EnglishDevelopment Head, Antivirals
The Context • HIV/AIDs is the world’s greatest threat to human health • Over 40 million people are infected worldwide • There is no known cure. Treatments have improved but there are still problems with virus resistance and patient adherence • Blocviroc is a novel treatment and patients would take one pill per day
Mode of Action • Blocviroc treats the host rather than attacking the virus • It binds to two receptors on the surface of human immune cells known as T-cells • It prevents the virus entering the cell • Blocviroc is more effective than existing therapies
HIV CD4 CCR5 CCR5 antagonist Human immune cell surface
Phase II Trials • Excellent results. • In just two weeks viral count dropped by 90% in volunteer patients • Only minor side effects • On stopping treatment, the viral count did not rise immediately
Phase III Trials • Expensive – around $500 million • 5,000 volunteers needed from all around the world • Three year study • Risks: • Similar compounds have caused liver damage • Not sure of the long-term effect of interfering with the immune system • A competitor might discover a vaccine
Market Considerations • Not going to be a blockbuster • Over 2 million people in Europe and North America have AIDS • A treatment not a cure – patients will have to continue with the drug • Manufacturing Blocviroc will be expensive • Regulators will look favourably on a new treatment for HIV