There are at least 79 new medicines and vaccines being developed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, according to a survey of American drug companies.
All drugs identified by the survey are either in human clinical trials or are awaiting approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Among the dozens of new compounds under study are 16 vaccines aimed at preventing the spread of the virus. One vaccine uses a two-phase approach to boost immunity: the first dose primes the body to improve cellular immunity then the second, booster dose triggers neutralizing antibodies.
Another drug would help the weakened immune systems of AIDS patients fight off fungal infections. The drug is the first in a new class of medicines known as echinocandins, which attack the walls of invasive fungal cells.
"Drug research is risky and often at the cutting edge of science. It is unlikely that all of the 79 medicines now in development will be approved for patients. However, the research on these medicines advances both our knowledge of HIV/AIDS and search for a cure," said Alan F. Holmer, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which did the survey.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
