TORONTO and OSAKA, Japan, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Shionogi) announced today that they have completed an initial clinical study in humans with an investigational integrase inhibitor, 364735, which is being developed for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Integrase inhibitors are a new class of anti-HIV drugs that block viral replication by preventing the virus from integrating into the genetic material of human immune cells. 364735 is being developed by a joint venture between GSK and Shionogi.
“Development of new antiretroviral drugs with different viral targets, resistance profiles and improved safety and tolerability is urgently needed for both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, especially those with multi-drug resistant HIV,” commented Dr. Lynn Marks, Senior Vice President, Medicines Development Centre for Infectious Diseases at GSK. “Recent findings suggest integrase inhibitors may help meet many of these continuing medical needs. GSK is committed to discovering new solutions to address the challenges of treating HIV/AIDS.”
“Integrase continues to be an important target in the search for new treatments to address HIV/AIDS. Shionogi remains committed to discovering and advancing new drug candidates in this area, and we look forward to further progress with 364735,” remarked Dr. Isao Teshirogi, Director of the Board and Senior Executive Officer responsible for Research & Development at Shionogi.
A Phase I study of 364735 was recently conducted in the United States to assess safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Results from this clinical trial will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming medical conference in 2007. Data from this study of 364735 have enabled selection of doses for a Phase II study, the next step in its clinical development, which is planned to start in late 2006 in HIV-infected adults.
The integrase enzyme is unique to the virus and is not found in humans, which makes it an attractive drug target. New treatments are critical for HIV treatment-experienced patients who have exhausted other available options. These patients need multiple, active antiretroviral drugs that can be administered in combination to attain a high degree of viral suppression against drug-resistant virus, new drugs with improved safety profiles that can fit into patients’ daily lives, and drugs that act by novel mechanisms of action that are additive or synergistic with drugs in existing pharmacologic classes.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
GSK’s HIV drug discovery and development research includes active programs for established targets (nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors) and novel targets like CCR5 and CXCR4 entry inhibitors and integrase inhibitors. Our program for HIV immunotherapeutic and prophylactic vaccines is ongoing, as well.
GSK is also focused on the unique needs of the developing world by supporting clinical trials in those areas, offering not-for-profit pricing on our antiretrovirals to 64 of the least developed countries and sub-Saharan Africa, and continuing community investment activities and partnerships that foster effective approaches against HIV. For more information, visit GlaxoSmithKline on the World Wide Web at http://www.gsk.com.
About Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
Shionogi & Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s largest research-based pharmaceutical companies, develops, manufactures, distributes, imports and exports pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Shionogi aims to provide innovative medicines which make a positive contribution to world-wide health. For additional company information, please visit Shionogi on the World Wide Web at http://www.shionogi.co.jp.
GlaxoSmithKline Enquiries Robin Fastenau Director, Public Relations - Infectious Diseases Tel: +1 919 483 7966 (office) Tel: +1 919 522 5237 (mobile) Shionogi & Co., Ltd. Enquiries Public Relations Unit Osaka Tel: +81 6 6209 7885 Tokyo +81 3 3406 8164
GlaxoSmithKline
CONTACT: Robin Fastenau, Director, Public Relations, Infectious Diseases,of GlaxoSmithKline, +1-919-483-7966 office, +1-919-522-5237 mobile; orShionogi & Co., Ltd. Enquiries, Public Relations Unit, Osaka, +81 6 62097885 or Tokyo +81 3 3406 8164
