Roche, Trimeris HIV Treatment Shows Positive Results

The fusion inhibitor treatment shows better-than-expected results in clinical tests.

Author:: Michael Dunn
Publish date:: Apr 18, 2002 10:00 AM EDT

Roche

and

Trimeris

(TRMS)

said their new HIV treatment has shown positive results in its Phase 3 clinical trials.

The T-20 treatment is the first of a new type of antiretroviral treatment know as a fusion inhibitor. The companies said that in tests where T-20 is administered in combination with more traditional drugs, it has significantly decreased the amount of virus in the blood. The company called the results even better than what earlier studies had led it to expect.

The Phase 3 trials were performed on 491 HIV-infected patients who had documented resistance to current medicines, and the trials, along with a second ongoing study, will form the basis of the companies' submission to regulatory agencies.

The T-20 treatment currently has fast track designation from the Food and Drug Administration, which facilitates the development and expedites the review of treatments for life-threatening diseases.

Shares of Trimeris were soaring on the news, up 32.4% to $51.95 in Instinet trading.