Viral Genetics posts encouraging HIV results

VGV-1 is a suspension of thymus nuclear protein given through intramuscular injection. Results indicate statistically significant reductions in viral load in some patients, only mild adverse events attributed to the drug, and a mechanism of action that appears to be markedly different than existing HIV therapies.

During the 137-patient study, statistically significant reductions in viral load were seen in 22% of patients that were equivalent to a 70% decrease in the amount of virus in the blood at day 150.

The study shows that patients who began the study with reduced immune function did best on VGV-1. Of the patients that started the study with lower CD4 counts, 36% had a greater drop in viral load at day 150 and 25% maintained this result at day 240.

One of the interesting findings is that in a subset of individuals, HIV viral load was maintained at lower levels for three months after the drug was given, suggesting the product may be an immune modulator. This is unique to the extent that the duration of the effect of treatment with VGV-1 in this subset appears to be prolonged.

“The initial clinical trial results are intriguing as there appears to be some antiviral effect that is sustained well after the last administration of VGV-1. It is important to conduct further studies to determine the precise mechanism of action and whether these initial effects can be enhanced,” said Dr Eric Rosenberg, associate professor at Harvard Medical School and a member of the scientific and medical advisory board of Viral Genetics.

“VGV-1 may have a totally different mechanism of action from existing antiretrovirals and that could be good news for people who need new options,” he added.