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AVI BioPharma Presents Novel HIV Drug Candidate Results |
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02 Mar 2007 |
Cell–Culture Research Targets HIV–1 Vif and Tar Stem Loop
PORTLAND, OR, USA | Mar 01, 2007 | AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII), presented research results titled “Morpholino Antisense Oligomers that Target the Lentiviral Vif Gene and Tar Stem–loop are Novel Antiretroviral Drug Candidates” at the 14th Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), held this week in Los Angeles. Richard K. Bestwick, Ph.D., director of antiretroviral research for AVI, presented the results in poster form.
Dr. Bestwick reported on AVI’s investigations into the feasibility of novel antiviral targets: the HIV–1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) and the HIV–1 transactivation response element (Tar) stem loop. These targets are considered integral to viral replication and protein expression, respectively. The viral genome target sites were selected in part due to their presence in all known viral isolates. The antiviral potential of these targets was evaluated with AVI compounds in test tube (in vitro translation) and cell culture studies. The studies suggested that the targets are promising candidates for further investigation in more sophisticated cell culture systems and in animal models.
“New approaches to antiviral therapy for HIV–1 are needed,” said Patrick L. Iversen, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development at AVI BioPharma. “These studies add to our growing understanding of antisense approaches to treat viral infections, specifically HIV–1, which represents one of the most challenging areas for antiviral therapy.”
About AVI BioPharma
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life–threatening diseases using third–generation NeuGene antisense drugs. AVI’s lead NeuGene antisense compound is designed to target cell proliferation disorders, including cardiovascular restenosis, cancer and polycystic kidney disease. In addition to targeting specific genes in the body, AVI’s antiviral program uses NeuGene antisense compounds to combat disease by targeting single–stranded RNA viruses, including West Nile virus, hepatitis C virus, dengue virus, Ebola virus and influenza A virus. AVI has introduced a NeuGene -based exon–skipping technology called ESPRIT therapy. More information about AVI is available on the company’s Web site at www.avibio.com.
SOURCE: AVI BioPharma, Inc |
