CardiovascularBiotech Leaders, Patient Advocates Highlight Cutting-Edge HIV/AIDS Therapies, Need For Next Generation Treatments
Leaders in biotechnology research and patient advocacy joined forces today at the 2009 BIO International Convention to discuss the latest breakthroughs in HIV/AIDS treatments. Following a keynote speech by Sir Elton John focused on the needs of the HIV/AIDS community, representatives of biotech companies previewed the next generation of treatments while patient advocates reiterated the need for new therapies, particularly for those who have developed resistance to existing medications. Researchers are developing new therapies that are more effective in treating HIV/AIDS, including an AIDS vaccine and new methods of delivery that hold the potential to increase patient compliance.
"Through biotechnology, we have been able to suppress many of the symptoms of AIDS, increasing both quality of life and life expectancy for millions of people around the world who are living with HIV/AIDS. Day in and day out, the men and women of biotechnology are working to find a way to one day put an end to this terrible disease," said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
Greenwood was joined by a number of companies and patient representatives:
- John Bonfiglio, CEO of Argos Therapeutics
- Marie-Pierre de Bethune, Ph.D., Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Tibotec
- Michael Manganiello, Board Member, Whitman-Walker Clinic
- Robert McNally, President and CEO, GeoVax Labs
- David Miller, Board Member, AIDS Institute
- Paul Stoffels, M.D., Company Group Chairman, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson
"For 22 years, I have lived with a disease for which there is no cure," said Michael Manganiello. "But I am hopeful. And, initiatives like the ones we are learning about today give me hope. I believe that innovative approaches to the discovery and development of new treatments will lead to a cure for the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS."
Approximately two million people die from HIV/AIDS each year, and an equal number of children live with the disease. Today, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, although the annual number of deaths attributed to AIDS has declined in the past two years, in part as a result of greater access to treatment.
Biotechnology has led the way in developing advanced treatments for the more than 33 million people worldwide who are HIV positive and/or living with AIDS.
To help meet the needs of people living with AIDS, BIO announced a two week fundraising campaign to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. BIO challenged the broader biotech community to match the association"s own donation of $150,000. To make a contribution to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, log onto IAmBiotech.org/ejaf between now and June 2.
About Argos Therapeutics, Inc
The Company has generated multiple platform technologies and a diverse pipeline of products based on its expertise in the biology of dendritic cells - the master switch that turns the immune system on or off. The Company"s ArcelisTM technology trains the immune system to recognize and attack the disease.
Although current therapies (primarily highly active antiretroviral therapy) constitute a $5 billion market, they have a number of limitations and challenges and often ultimately fail due to viral mutation and resistance. Argos" ArcelisTM HIV immunotherapy addresses a number of these issues by mobilizing a broad-based and completely relevant immune assault on the patient"s own virus. The Company is currently enrolling and treating patients in a Phase 2 HIV trial at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
About GeoVax Labs, Inc
GeoVax is a Biotechnology company developing human vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus - AIDS) and other infectious agents.
The company works to develop AIDS vaccines for global markets, manufacture and test these vaccines under GMP/GLP conditions (FDA guidelines), conduct phase I/II and III human trials for vaccine safety and effectiveness and obtain regulatory approval of these vaccines in the USA and specified international markets.
About Tibotec
Tibotec R&D is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative new drugs for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases of high unmet medical need. Tibotec was established in 1994 by Rudi Pauwels as a drug discovery laboratory. In 1995, Virco was established as a spin-off to improve the management of HIV/AIDS with innovative, new molecular diagnostic tools for HIV resistance testing that would better inform the treatment decisions made by physicians. In April 2002, Tibotec and Virco were acquired by Johnson & Johnson and evolved to a fully integrated pharmaceutical company focussing on the discovery and the development of new drugs for Infectious Diseases.
About 2009 BIO International Convention
The world"s leading biotechnology industry event, the BIO International Convention, is taking place May 18-21, 2009, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry and attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the biotech industry. The annual event draws industry leaders from 48 states and 60 countries.
The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit http://convention.bio.org/.
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