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August 1999 Cover
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Researchers from Pharmacia & Upjohn and the Belgian biotechnology firm Virco report that a protease inhibitor being developed by Pharmacia is active against
many strains of HIV, including some that are resistant to other anti-HIV drugs. The drug, tripranavir, has performed beyond all expectations in laboratory tests, and
researchers hope to begin trials in patients resistant to existing drugs later this year. The researchers, who presented their findings at the Third International Workshop on
HIV Resistance and Treatment Strategies, found that only 3 of 107 mutated HIV strains tested were completely resistant to tripranavir, and 8 were mildly resistant.
According to Virco's Dr. Brendan Larder, tripranavir seems more flexible than other protease inhibitors-- which include Merck & Co.'s Crixivan and Agouron's Viracept--
allowing it to fit into active sites regardless of whether they change shape.
Editor's Note: from the Wall Street Journal
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