Biotron HIV drug targets reservoir cells

Biotron (ASX:BIT) has said human trials of its HIV candidate BIT225 confirmed its ability to target HIV reservoir precursor cells.

Preliminary results of the phase Ib/IIa trial show that BIT225 targets HIV replication in monocyte cells.

Monocyte cells which become infected by HIV often move out of blood cells and into various organs. Here they mature into macrophages, where HIV can replicate, acting as ongoing sources of the virus.

Current HIV drugs, which target the virus in T-cells, are unable to affect these underlying virus reservoirs. BIT225 could potentially be used in tandem with these antiretrovirals to treat the virus.

Biotron managing director Dr Michelle Miller said the preliminary results are potentially revolutionary. “For the first time, we have a potential treatment which may halt the ongoing cycle of infection and re-infection with [HIV] from these long-lived cells.”

She said targeting virus reservoirs is considered the ‘Holy Grail’ of current HIV research.

During the trial, 21 patients with high levels of HIV were given either twice-daily doses of BIT225 or a placebo over a 10-day period.

Biotron hopes to be able to publish the full results from the trial, including an analysis of the safety data, later this year.

Besides HIV, Biotron is also developing BIT225 for the treatment of hepatitis C. Late last year, the company published the results of a phase IIa trial showing that patients who received the highest dose had undetectable levels of HCV at the 48-week follow-up.

Biotron is also currently involved in a phase II trial of BIT225 in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV.