I've been looking online for connections between GSK/VIIV and Cytodyn. The article from Chris Sandberg at InsiderFinancial from 2022 is probably the best, if a little out-of-date. It goes into detail about the various connections and is well worth the read (thanks, Brentie!). I suspect the Tony Wood connection--the guy who "discovered" maraviroc while at Pfizer and is now R&D head at GSK--is probably the most relevant.
I did find a GSK press release that quotes Dr Lalezari in reference to the approval of Rukobia, a VIIV anti-viral for Heavily-Treatment Experienced (HTE) HIV patients. It's from 2020, but I found it notable as it's the first time I've seen him quoted as "CEO of Quest Clinical Research." And he describes himself as an activist as well as a researcher, and expresses appreciation for VIIV. Here is the quote:
"Jacob P. Lalezari, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Quest Clinical Research, said: “As a novel HIV attachment inhibitor, fostemsavir (Rukobia) targets the first step of the viral lifecycle offering a new mechanism of action to treat people living with HIV. In the BRIGHTE study, fostemsavir in combination with other ARVs effectively achieved and maintained long-term viral suppression and demonstrated clinically meaningful rise in CD4+ T-cell count even among heavily immunocompromised patients. These are exciting advances for the HTE population and an advancement the HIV community has long been waiting for. As an activist as well as researcher, I am very grateful to ViiV Healthcare for their commitment to heavily-treatment experienced people living with HIV.”
Oddly enough, in another article by Megan Brooks at Medscape on the approval of Rukobia, Jeff Murray (!) was also quoted--favorably--along with Dr Jay and Deborah Waterhouse, CEO of VIIV. I guess that goes to show just because you can find a connection in the literature... it might not be a good one! I had hoped to find more links between Lalezari and Waterhouse, but nothing else turned up.
https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-release...available/
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933483
I did find a GSK press release that quotes Dr Lalezari in reference to the approval of Rukobia, a VIIV anti-viral for Heavily-Treatment Experienced (HTE) HIV patients. It's from 2020, but I found it notable as it's the first time I've seen him quoted as "CEO of Quest Clinical Research." And he describes himself as an activist as well as a researcher, and expresses appreciation for VIIV. Here is the quote:
"Jacob P. Lalezari, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Quest Clinical Research, said: “As a novel HIV attachment inhibitor, fostemsavir (Rukobia) targets the first step of the viral lifecycle offering a new mechanism of action to treat people living with HIV. In the BRIGHTE study, fostemsavir in combination with other ARVs effectively achieved and maintained long-term viral suppression and demonstrated clinically meaningful rise in CD4+ T-cell count even among heavily immunocompromised patients. These are exciting advances for the HTE population and an advancement the HIV community has long been waiting for. As an activist as well as researcher, I am very grateful to ViiV Healthcare for their commitment to heavily-treatment experienced people living with HIV.”
Oddly enough, in another article by Megan Brooks at Medscape on the approval of Rukobia, Jeff Murray (!) was also quoted--favorably--along with Dr Jay and Deborah Waterhouse, CEO of VIIV. I guess that goes to show just because you can find a connection in the literature... it might not be a good one! I had hoped to find more links between Lalezari and Waterhouse, but nothing else turned up.
https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-release...available/
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933483
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