Oncolys Submits IND For Anti-HIV Drug Festinavir
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Tokyo-based Oncolys BioPharma submitted an Investigative New Drug application for anti-HIV drugFestinavir (OBP-601) to the U.S. FDA, to gain permission to initiate Phase I trials. Festinavir is a novel anti-HIV drug with a mechanism for inhibiting nucleotide reverse transcriptase, which is essential for human immune-deficiency virus replication. Based on preclinical studies, Festinavirshows comparable or superior efficacy and safety versus existing NRTIs and could become a potential best-in-class drug for combination in a highly active antiretroviral therapy. Oncolys in-licensed worldwide rights to Festinavir from Yale University in June 2006. (Click here for more-J apanese language