Accelerated HIV reduction in animal trial

Biotechnology company Biotron (ASX:BIT) has completed its HIV-1 animal trial of drug candidate BIT225, announcing positive results which yesterday caused the company’s share prices to rise by almost 15%. The study was performed in recently developed mice whose immune system was replaced with human cells, thus making them susceptible to infection with HIV-1.

The study showed that the addition of BIT225 was found to significantly reduce HIV-1 viral loads beyond the current best anti-retroviral treatments and accelerate the reduction of HIV-1 levels when compared to combinations without BIT225. These results indicate an enhancement of currently approved anti-HIV-1 drug treatment regimes.

“This important study demonstrates that BIT225 attacks a different source of virus than do the current anti-HIV-1 drugs,” explained Biotron Managing Director Dr Michelle Miller.

The results additionally demonstrate that the addition of BIT225 to anti-retroviral treatment results in a delayed and slower rate of viral rebound when anti-viral drugs are stopped. The study therefore suggests that BIT225 treatment may lead to eradication of one of the key underlying viral reservoirs.

“BIT225 has the potential to play a key role in the eradication of HIV-1 by targeting and clearing HIV-1 from certain reservoirs,” said Dr Miller. “Eradication of HIV-1 is a major focus of several multinational pharmaceutical companies, and Biotron’s BIT225 represents a unique commercial opportunity.”

The BIT225-009 Phase 2 human clinical trial, designed to confirm a similar benefit in humans, is expected to commence shortly.

Biotron (ASX:BIT) shares closed 14.71% higher at $0.039 on Monday, the day of the announcement.