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Melbourne-based biotechnology company Avexa Limited (ASX:AVX) announced excellent 48 week data from apricitabine's (ATC) phase 2b clinical trial. At week 48 the proportion of patients with HIV levels below detectable was over 90%. Patients who were initially treated with 3TC but who changed to ATC at week 24 also improved their response after their switch to ATC. Avexa also reported that the CD4 cell count of ATC treated patients continued to increase out to 48 weeks. Patients initially treated with 3TC and then switched to ATC doubled their levels of CD4 cell count at week 48 (after 24 weeks of ATC) compared to their CD4 cell count after 24 weeks of 3TC.

"These exciting results indicate that the clinical and immunological benefit of ATC continues to increase with long-term treatment out to 48 weeks. This is compelling evidence of the improvements that can be obtained when patients switch to ATC from 3TC," said Dr Julian Chick, CEO of Avexa.

No ATC resistance has been identified after 48 weeks of therapy. This demonstrated ability of ATC to withstand selection of HIV resistance, even in patients who have already failed other drugs, differentiates it from some of the other HIV drugs in clinical use.