A next generation NNRTI

New data about IDX899, an experimental [1](Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy, and are sometimes made available via Special Access Schemes prior to their approval. next generation NNRTI, was presented at the conference showing reduced viral load [2]A measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. in test tube studies both in wild-type HIV and strains with NNRTI-resistance [3]HIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. mutations. The drug demonstrated a high barrier to resistance. IDX899 also showed favourable safety in healthy HIV-negative volunteers.

The design of this proof-of- concept study had 30 participants who were randomly assigned to receive IDX899 monotherapy at one of three oral doses – 200 mg, 400mg or 800mg once daily – or else a placebo [4]A dummy medical treatment, designed to have no pharmacological effect, administered to the control group of a clinical trial. for seven days. All patients receiving IDX899 after seven days achieved significant drops in viral load. Dr Carlos Zala, from the University of Buenos Aires, who presented the study, reported that IDX899 side effects were generally mild and similar to those seen in the placebo-treated patients and that it was well tolerated and demonstrated potent HIV- 1 antiviral [5]A medication or substance which is active against one or more viruses. May include anti-HIV drugs, but these are more accurately termed antiretrovirals. activity at all tested doses.

Zala C, et al. IDX899, a novel HIV-1 [6]One of two distinct HIV species, HIV-1 is the predominant type in Australia and around the world. NNRTI with high barrier to resistance, provides suppression of HIV viral load in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected subjects. 17th International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, Abstract THAB04O2, 2008.