Biotron shares double on achieving a breakthrough towards curing HIV-1 infection
2018-09-28 12:43:00
The company’s shares are trading about 121% higher intra-day, at 4.2 cents.
Biotron Limited (ASX:BIT) has revealed a successful outcome to the phase II trial of its lead drug BIT225 in HIV-infected patients in combination with current antiretroviral drugs.
The results show that there are significant immunological benefits in patients receiving antiretroviral drugs with 200 mg BIT225 compared to antiretroviral drugs plus placebo.
Unique advantage of BIT225
Current antiretroviral drugs are extremely efficient at clearing the HIV-1 virus.
However, these antiretroviral drugs do not clear cellular reservoirs.
The data from the trial is consistent with the targeting and eradication of HIV-1 virus from these key reservoir cells in the BIT225-treated patients.
Biotron managing director Dr Michelle Miller said: “We know that antiretroviral drugs do NOT clear cellular reservoirs.
“HIV-infected people have to take drugs for their lifetime to keep virus under control.
“This trial shows for the first time that there may be a way to clear one of the main cellular reservoirs.
“This is a major step to the ultimate goal of curing HIV-1 infection.”
Ongoing analysis of trial data
The trial was designed to assess the safety and antiviral activity of three month’s dosing of BIT225 in combination with antiretroviral drugs in treatment-naïve HIV-positive subjects.
This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study undertaken at trial sites in Thailand.
Preliminary analysis of the safety data has shown that BIT225 was well tolerated at the 200 mg once daily dose, with no severe adverse events or withdrawals.
Analysis of the trial data is ongoing.
Biotron aims to present detailed data at scientific conferences and to potential commercial partners in late 2018/early 2019.
2018-09-28 12:43:00
The company’s shares are trading about 121% higher intra-day, at 4.2 cents.
Biotron Limited (ASX:BIT) has revealed a successful outcome to the phase II trial of its lead drug BIT225 in HIV-infected patients in combination with current antiretroviral drugs.
The results show that there are significant immunological benefits in patients receiving antiretroviral drugs with 200 mg BIT225 compared to antiretroviral drugs plus placebo.
Unique advantage of BIT225
Current antiretroviral drugs are extremely efficient at clearing the HIV-1 virus.
However, these antiretroviral drugs do not clear cellular reservoirs.
The data from the trial is consistent with the targeting and eradication of HIV-1 virus from these key reservoir cells in the BIT225-treated patients.
Biotron managing director Dr Michelle Miller said: “We know that antiretroviral drugs do NOT clear cellular reservoirs.
“HIV-infected people have to take drugs for their lifetime to keep virus under control.
“This trial shows for the first time that there may be a way to clear one of the main cellular reservoirs.
“This is a major step to the ultimate goal of curing HIV-1 infection.”
Ongoing analysis of trial data
The trial was designed to assess the safety and antiviral activity of three month’s dosing of BIT225 in combination with antiretroviral drugs in treatment-naïve HIV-positive subjects.
This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study undertaken at trial sites in Thailand.
Preliminary analysis of the safety data has shown that BIT225 was well tolerated at the 200 mg once daily dose, with no severe adverse events or withdrawals.
Analysis of the trial data is ongoing.
Biotron aims to present detailed data at scientific conferences and to potential commercial partners in late 2018/early 2019.
