Pharmaceutical Executive
Activist protests about access to, and the price of, AIDS medicines marked the International AIDS conference in Barcelona. But they failed to overshadow the promising results of research into new ways of attacking the virus.
Activist protests about access to, and the price of, AIDS medicines marked the International AIDS conference in Barcelona. But they failed to overshadow the promising results of research into new ways of attacking the virus.
Switzerland-based Roche and its research partner, the US biotech company Trimeris, gave details of its trials on T-20, the first in a new class of antiviral agents called fusion inhibitors. In contrast to current treatments, which prevent the virus from replicating once it is inside the cell, the new agents prevent the virus from entering cells in the first place. In one trial, 37 percent of patients showed no sign of the virus after 24 weeks, compared with 16 percent of those on existing therapies. In a second trial, the figures were 28 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Roche hopes to launch the medicine in the first quarter of 2003.
A joint venture between Shionogi and GlaxoSmithKline reported the results of its first human study on a product in another new class, one which targets integrase, one of three enzymes HIV needs for replication. Marketed medicines already target the other two, reverse transcriptase and protease. Phase I trials showed the treatment was well tolerated, with headache the most common side effect, and Phase II trials are now under way in HIV-positive individuals.
Panacos Pharmaceuticals is investigating a third new approach. Preclinical trials showed that its candidate, PA-457, inhibits budding, the final stage of the AIDS virus' takeover of human cells, when it releases virus particles to invade the body. The company plans to start clinical trials sometime next year.
Vaccines, rather than medicines, are likely to provide the ultimate "cure" for AIDS. VaxGen has one in development, with two trials underway. The first, conducted in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, involves 5,400 patients at high risk of sexual transmission. The second with, 2,500 drug users, is underway in Thailand. Based on the virus' protein coating, the vaccine is designed to stimulate HIV-blocking antibodies.
Beyond the Prescription: Pharma's Role in Digital Health Conversations
April 1st 2025Join us for an insightful conversation with Jennifer Harakal, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Canopy Life Sciences, as we unpack the evolving intersection of social media and healthcare decisions. Discover how pharmaceutical companies can navigate regulatory challenges while meaningfully engaging with consumers in digital spaces. Jennifer shares expert strategies for responsible marketing, working with influencers, and creating educational content that bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers. A must-listen for pharma marketers looking to build trust and compliance in today's social media landscape.
Beyond the Prescription: The Role Pharma Plays in Digital Health Conversations
April 1st 2025As social media continues to influence healthcare communication, it presents both challenges and opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. In this interview, Jennifer Harakal of Canopy Life Sciences discusses balancing compliance with effective digital engagement to build trust and facilitate meaningful healthcare conversations.