Being Alive 1994 Feb 5: 12
Gilead Sciences Inc. of Foster City, California, has reported the
preliminary clinical findings of its anti-HIV compound GS 393, also
known by its chemical acronym PMEA. This intravenously or
subcutaneously delivered compound has been associated with decreased
p24 antigen and transient increases in CD4 counts in treated patients
with AIDS. Twenty-eight HIV+ patients have been treated with GS 393 at
dose levels of 1.0 mg/kg or 3.0 mg/kg daily or three times a week for
up to six months. GS 393 is generally well tolerated. Phase I clinical
trials are now being conducted at the National Institutes of Health
and the University of Washington.
Gilead has plans to pursue additional studies with GS 393 in patients
who are receiving AZT, using low does subcutaneous injections of their
drug. In addition, the company is developing an oral form of the drug.
(Henry E. Chang is a recovering biotech junkie and the director of
research and development at Shared Medical Research Foundation in
Tarzana. He can be reached at 818.345.2172.)