AiCuris' novel resistance breaking HIV compound AIC292 in Phase I

Wuppertal, July 01, 2010 - AiCuris announced today that its novel, resistance-breaking NNRTI (Non-Nucleosidic Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor) for HIV has entered human phase I clinical trials.

Following oral administration the compound was generally well tolerated and the resulting pharmacokinetic profile was indicative of the potential for a once daily dosing regime. Commenting on the results Prof. Dr. Helga Rübsamen-Schaeff, CEO of AiCuris, stated ‘'We are very pleased about these results. Due to the chronic course of an HIV infection once daily dosing is one of the key prerequisites for a modern HIV drug in addition to good efficacy and tolerability."

Like other compounds from AiCuris, AIC292 has a resistance-breaking profile. Prof. Rübsamen-Schaeff: "With this compound we have demonstrated once again the ability to generate innovative and attractive candidates for clinical development with our in house research in collaboration with external partners."

Dr. Dirk Kropeit, the AiCuris clinician with responsibility for AIC292, further commented that resistance development to existing drugs is still an issue: "In HIV therapy, a certain therapeutic standard has been reached, which is significantly prolonging people's lives. However, novel, well-tolerated as well as resistance-breaking treatment options are still required. Such drugs should also offer benefits with respect to ease of administration - ideally being once daily. In this respect, the novel AiCuris compound may have the potential to be a cornerstone of a next generation HIV-therapy."

About HIV
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is causing a chronic infection in approximately 33 million people worldwide (WHO) and about 2 million deaths per year are being attributed to it. Untreated, HIV-infected individuals will develop an eventually fatal immunodeficiency over the course of several years.

HIV is widespread in the human population in some parts of the world. In the USA, it affects about 1.2 million individuals and in Europe about 0.8 million. HIV is mainly transmitted sexually and by contaminated blood (e.g. through needle sharing among drug addicts). In the developed world, transmission from mother to child can now be controlled but this route of transmissions remains a problem in resource-poor settings.

Due to its nature HIV leads to a lifelong infection and a cure is presently not possible. Infected individuals therefore need to take a chronic dosing regimen of currently available drugs to suppress the virus, often starting at a young age. Development of viral resistance to current therapies is a major and unresolved problem and is currently being addressed by administering a combination of such drugs. Such "drug-cocktails" can lead to significant toxicities in treated individuals. In spite of all advances in HIV therapy there are still people dying from AIDS, even in resource-rich countries.

About AiCuris
AiCuris GmbH & Co KG is a privately held company located in Wuppertal, Germany. It is devoted to research and clinical development of novel, resistance-breaking drugs for the treatment of HCMV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, HIV and Hepatitis C as well as resistant Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial infections in hospitals.  Furthermore, the portfolio comprises two immune modulators.

Contact:
AiCuris GmbH &  Co. KG
Sandra Wildhagen
Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475/Building 302
42117 Wuppertal
Phone +49 202 317 63 0
Fax     +49 202 317 63 1601
E-Mail  press@aicuris.com
Web    www.aicuris.com

Quelle: www.aicuris.com