Viriom Selects ChemDiv To Develop HIV Program

ChemDiv of San Diego has said that its wholly owned subsidiary Chemical Diversity Research Institute (CDRI ) of Moscow, Russia, has been chosen by Viriom of Moscow, as a service partner in developing HIV compounds. The program includes pre-clinical and clinical studies, which are expected to begin in 2010.

Viriom has signed the license agreement with Roche. Under the terms of this agreement Roche granted Viriom development and commercialization rights for potential novel HIV/AIDS medicine in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Reportedly, subject to performance of the program, Viriom is also expected to receive license fees, development milestones and royalties on worldwide sales.

Vadim Bichko, vice president Virology at ChemDiv, said: “We are excited about this new collaboration with Viriom and Roche. These novel HIV inhibitors have shown excellent antiviral properties in vitro, good bioavailability, PK and safety profiles, as well as a high genetic barrier to resistance. Based on pre-clinical studies to date, these molecules have the potential to become best in class HIV drugs.”

VIRIOM, a company which develops targeted medicines for HIV/AIDS. VIRIOM is planning to conduct research and clinical trials in Russia using the experience and knowledge of Russian scientists. Chemical Diversity Research Institute, Prudentas and Drug Technologies of ChemRar Hi Tech Center and Moscow City Center for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS were selected as partners in this program.

ChemDiv, headquartered in SanDiego, California, collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotech partners by enabling them to accelerate their R&D programs to higher value clinical inflection points.