AiCuris announced today the presentation of preclinical and Phase 1 data on AIC316 at the Antivirals Congress in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from 7th – 9th of November 2010. AIC316 is a novel anti-HSV drug currently in clinical phase 2 testing.
AiCuris scientist and project leader Dr. Alexander Birkmann will give an overview on the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship of AIC316 by presenting efficacy data from experiments performed in a murine infection model and Phase 1 pharmacokinetic data which demonstrate that the predicted efficacious concentrations of AIC316 will be easily achieved in humans. The oral presentation will be held during Plenary Session 5 on “Antiviral Resistance” scheduled for Monday, November 8, 2010, at 14:40 hrs, NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam.
“The results also clearly confirm that AIC316 has the potential for once daily dosing which we consider as a prerequisite for the intended indication of genital herpes” said Dr. Holger Zimmermann, Chief Scientific Officer of AiCuris. AiCuris- CEO Prof. Helga Rübsamen-Schaeff adds: “Genital and labial herpes may be considered as “unimportant” infectious diseases as they are normally self-limiting and there are drugs to treat them. However, we know that patients may suffer tremendously, physically and psychologically and that the unmet medical need is still very high. Therefore we are committed to make a real difference with an innovative and resistance-breaking drug against Herpes simplex.
About herpes
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are widespread in the human population (seroprevalence up to 100%, depending on geographic area and subpopulation), and are divided into herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). While HSV-1 predominantly causes oral lesions (cold sores), HSV-2 manifests in the genital region and is mainly being transmitted sexually. However, the past decade has seen an increase in HSV-1 genital infections, which now account for at least half of first episodes of genital herpes in some countries. Both labial and genital herpes are generally self-limiting and can recur frequently. HSV infections have also been associated with a three-fold increase in the risk of sexually acquired HIV. In immune compromised individuals large and painful ulcerations may result, and newborns infected with HSV are at risk of developing herpes encephalitis. Most of the current herpes drugs inhibit a specific viral enzyme, the DNA polymerase. They share the same mode of action and are therefore very similar in their efficacy. Also, cross-resistance can occur.
AiCuris GmbH & Co KG is a privately held company located in Wuppertal, Germany. It is devoted to research and clinical development of novel, resistance-breaking drugs which are well-differentiated from the standard of care for the treatment of HCMV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, HIV and Hepatitis C as well as resistant Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial infections in hospitals. Furthermore, the portfolio comprises two immune modulators.
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