AEGiS-WSJ: Abbott Labs to Present Findings Of Viral-Reducing AIDS Drug

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Abbott Labs to Present Findings Of Viral-Reducing AIDS Drug

The Wall Street Journal - Monday, February 1, 1999
Thomas M. Burton, Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

A new AIDS drug under development by Abbott Laboratories reduced viral loads to below-detectable levels in about 90% of patients tested, according to clinical-study results to be presented Monday at a major medical conference.

"It is better than existing drugs and is probably going to be the most potent protease inhibitor yet," said a leading AIDS clinician, John W. Mellors, director of the HIV/AIDS Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Protease-inhibitors are the relatively new class of AIDS drugs that for the first time have brought viral levels to below the level of detection.

The study, whose lead investigator is Robert Murphy of Northwestern University's HIV Treatment Clinic, covered 24 weeks and involved patients who hadn't been treated by any of the existing protease-inhibitor drugs. The experimental Abbott drug, called ABT-378, was given in combination with Abbott's existing marketed AIDS drug, Norvir, which is known to have a turbocharging effect with other protease drugs.

Dr. Mellors said that, while companies other than Abbott are studying other so-called second-generation protease drugs, ABT-378 appears to be the furthest along. He said that questions remaining about ABT-378 include whether it will have a potent effect in patients who have already undergone unsuccessful treatment on other protease drugs. In addition, he said, there are questions about possible long-term side effects with the drug.

But the short-term side effect experience, Dr. Murphy said, "is really excellent."

"I've worked with all the protease-inhibitors, and this one is the best tolerated regimen I have ever worked with," he said. "This drug has a big advantage over all the other drugs." In particular, he said, no patients dropped out of the current study because of side effects, a result he described as "very unusual."

In two different types of assay, or test, to detect virus, researchers found that in one, 93%, and in the other, 89% of patients showed no detectable virus. The results are to be presented in Chicago at the Sixth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

Eugene Sun, head of antiviral-drug development at Abbott, said it was common in previous studies to have 10% to 25% of patients drop out of treatment because of side effects. "So our investigators say they have never seen this phenomenon of zero discontinuations before," Dr. Sun said. Various side effects of current protease drugs include upset stomach, weakness, diarrhea and kidney stones. Some patients taking ABT-378 got headaches or diarrhea during this trial.

ABT-378 is midway through clinical trials, in what is known as Phase II. Dr. Sun said it would likely be until midyear 2000 before Abbott will be able to submit an application for marketing approval to the Food and Drug Administration.

Current approved protease drugs include the market leader, Agouron Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Viracept, with some $450 million in annual U.S. sales; Merck & Co.'s Crixivan; Roche Holding AG's Fortovase and Invirase; and Abbott's Norvir.

990201
WJ990203

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1999. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .