GSK underlines HIV commitment

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) hosted a satellite symposium at the XV International AIDS Conference (IAC) in Bangkok, Thailand highlighting several of the company's forthcoming treatments for HIV.

There is a vital need for improved therapies to treat HIV because of the growing problem of viral resistance to existing anti-HIV drugs. GSK is addressing this issue by developing 2nd and 3rd generation non-nucleoside inhibitors and protease inhibitors highly active against resistant strains of HIV, improving the tolerability and convenience of dosing for its anti-HIV drugs, identifying new ways to control the replication of HIV, and even preventing the virus from entering and infecting immune cells in the first place.

GSK showcased several of its research initiatives at the symposium.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). GSK has formulated a fixed dose combination (FDC) tablet of the NRTI drugs Epivir/Ziagen (abacavir/lamivudine). This will be the first fixed dose combination that can be taken as one tablet, once-daily, and without dietary or water restrictions. GSK expects the Epivir/Ziagen FDC to be available in 2004 in both the US and EU.

Protease inhibitors (PIs). Clinical trials of Telzir (fosamprenavir), a new protease inhibitor for HIV infected adults, are ongoing. This PI can be dosed once or twice a day with no dietary or water restrictions. Telzir received a positive opinion from the CPMP in March 2004 and is currently marketed in the US under the trade name Lexiva.

Investigational compound 640385 is in phase I development as a 3rd generation PI. 640385 may be useful in treating those patients who have strains of HIV that have become resistant to multiple PI drugs.

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). 695634, a 2nd generation NNRTI, is in clinical development as a potential treatment for NNRTI-experienced patients. Currently, there are no options for sequential use within the NNRTI class of drugs due to cross-resistance. 695634 is in Phase I development.

HIV Entry inhibitors. GSK's HIV entry inhibitor drug candidate is in early stages of clinical evaluation. GSK has begun Phase II trials with a cellular chemokine receptor (CCR5) antagonist, 873140 (ONO-4128). The CCR5 receptor is believed to be the predominant co-receptor used by HIV in the early and middle stages of infection. Blocking the CCR5 receptor with an antagonist may inhibit HIV infection of healthy immune cells in humans.

'The challenge presented by the global HIV/AIDS pandemic can be addressed in a number of ways,' commented Dr David Ho, director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Centre in New York, USA, and one of the keynote speakers at the GSK symposium. 'One strategy is to tackle the multiple issues that restrict access to optimal healthcare and antiretroviral therapy. Another is to develop innovative drugs that supplement the existing antiretroviral armamentarium. GSK is playing a key part in addressing these issues through their research and development activities and support of community programmes.'

GSK is committed to addressing the healthcare challenges of the developing world. The company is involved in numerous activities ranging from clinical trials focusing on the needs of the developing world to supporting community programmes aimed at improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.

GSK currently supports 26 HIV collaborative research trials, involving more than 16,000 patients within the developing world. These studies focus on issues which are relevant to this environment such as the reduction of mother-to-child transmission. The studies are external investigator-initiated studies, which GSK supports with the provision of drug and/or funding.

Positive Action is one of GSK's programmes supporting communities affected by AIDS. For 12 years, Positive Action has been supporting projects that help community-based organisations deliver effective HIV and AIDS healthcare services such as awareness and education initiatives and home-based care. During IAC, Positive Action is supporting a number of activities aimed at facilitating community delegate's attendance from under-resourced countries so they can meet, share experiences and advocate for care and treatment.