The Australian biotechnology firm Biotron Ltd. said recently that its Virion compound was found to work against drug-resistant HIV. CEO Michelle Miller said the treatment worked at later stages than all major HIV drugs currently on the market by preventing infectious viruses from coming outside of the cells. In addition, the compound works against multidrug-resistant HIV, said Miller. Final safety studies are being performed on Virion, and Biotron anticipates "proof of concept" trials -- required for regulatory approval -- by the end of this year. Biotron, which commercializes research out of John Curtain School of Medical Research and the Australian National University in Canberra, said it plans to partner with a major pharmaceutical firm within the next year.

Back to other news for August 23, 2005

Search the Newsroom archive