Two breakthrough treatments for HIV and AIDS are nearing the final stages of development, a group of international researchers said Monday in Tokyo.
The group includes leading HIV researchers Professor Robert C. Gallo of the University of Maryland and Professor Daniel Zagury of France's Pierre et Marie Curie University.
They published preliminary test results in the issue of U.S. science journal PNAS that came out March 31 and are in Japan to give a progress report at a symposium today. They said their group has developed both a medicine designed to restore the immune system of AIDS patients and a vaccine for HIV carriers. The group has confirmed that neither has side effects, they said.
The medicine, Antiferon, is in its phase-three clinical trial in Europe. The trial is scheduled to end in June, at which time the group plans to file an application for commercial sales.
The vaccine, Anti-Tat, may enable AIDS patients and HIV carriers to coexist with the virus by preventing the development of symptoms. It is in its phase-two trial stage, according to the group.