Gilead Sciences will present findings from a preclinical study evaluating HIV capsid inhibitors (CAIs) for potential use as a long-acting antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, at the 2017 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Seattle.
The study identified novel HIV-1 capsid inhibitors with highly potent antiviral activity and a favorable resistance profile to existing ARVs in vitro.
Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer, Gilead Sciences said: “Capsid inhibition is a previously unexplored target for antiviral therapy and we are pleased to share these preclinical results showing the potential role of this class of therapy as a novel, long-acting injectable for HIV treatment and prevention in the future.”
Gilead plans to evaluate a selected development candidate in Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies and begin Phase 1 clinical trials in 2018.
The company noted that GS-CA1 is an investigational therapy and has not been determined to be safe or efficacious.