New tibotec NNRTI looks good option for starting therapy

An investigational once daily NNRTI from Tibotec Pharmaceuticals Limited, TMC 278 appears to be safe and effective for people starting treatment for up to two years.

TMC 278 belongs o the same family of drugs as nevirapine and efavirenz.

96 week data show 70 percent of people receiving one of three doses of the drug plus two other medications achieve and maintain an undet4ectable viral load below 50 copies. The drug was studied against efavirenz, the world's most widely prescribed NNRTI and performed as well as this leading drug.

In terms of side effects TMC 278 demonstrated itself to be an easier drug to take than efavirenz; rates of rash, nervous system side effects, psychiatric effects were lower among people taking TMC 278. People taking the unlicensed drug also reported lesser increases in blood fats.

Tibotec currently has two licensed HIV drugs darunavir, a protease inhibitor and TMC 125, an NNRTI. It also has drugs for hepatis C and tuberculosis in development.

A 25mg dose of TMC 278 will now go forward in further clinical trials.