sol why are tibotec still interested? because they have assessed the activity of the avx integrase candidates, and they are very active against 'wild type' and 'resistant' virus!
Elvitegravir is Gilead's (not tibotec) phase III integrase, planned for the quad pill as you suggest. Elvitegravir has a very similar resistance profile to Isentress (Merck's integrase) so virus resistant to one will probably be resistant to the other. GSK's integrase in phase II, has also has some (but not as much) overlap in resistance profile to the others.
How do the Avx integrases compare? First, from co announcements, it suggests efficacy of several leads may well be at least as good. But, phaps most importantly, some of the Avx leads sound like they are active against virus resistant to the other integrases. And excitingly, it sounds like Avx have discovered a lead/series with a completely different mode of action, and hence resistance profile, see jc's agm pres.
Lets not forget, the Avx integrase program was just about their lead program at listing and pre-ATC. I understand they were very close to beating Merck/Isentress (with 2010 sales >$1B) to market but got pipped. Here is an article from 2003 about they were ready to go on their integrase leads, but with ATC they just havent had the cash to follow the integrase leads thru the clinic. http://www.lifescientist.com.au/article/26847/amrad_aims_regain_its_footing
Integrase is THE hot drug class atm in hiv, isentress is a blockbuster and generating plenty of resistant virus, so active integrases with different resistance profiles will be in demand...
The delay in the tibotec deal just smells too much to me, putting its final stage just after release of the ATC phiii data means just one thing. Tibotec (a drugs to treat resistance co) are very interested in ATC, which is no surprise, and are looking at having both atc and integrase or the whole box and dice... if they can afford it more than gsk...
AVX Price at posting:
17.0¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
