a cure for hep c, aids, the flu and dengue..., page-15

Here is an overview of their presentation at the International AIDS Conference for anyone who hasn't read it already:

"The Directors of Biotron Limited ('Biotron') are pleased to advise that the latest data on its HIV program was presented to an international audience this week at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Dr John Wilkinson, Biotron's Senior Virologist, presented data which showed that Biotron's lead investigational drug, BIT225, has the potential to prevent the establishment of HIV infection in the first cells to encounter the virus at the point of infection. These cells, called dendritic cells, act as the 'watch dogs' of the immune system, so reach the virus first when it gets into the body. Within approximately 24 hours of first infection, HIV starts replicating in these dendritic cells, and is then transmitted to the body's T cells, where the virus establishes a more explosive infection.

Delegates at the conference heard that BIT225 was able to significantly reduce levels of HIV in dendritic cells in the laboratory, with up to 89% reduction in virus transferred to uninfected T cells.

The results are significant as prevention or minimisation of the establishment of HIV infection would potentially ameliorate the devastating effects of HIV infection in the body. The finding opens up a new avenue for potential exploitation of BIT225, in addition to its potential use in controlling viral reservoirs in patients with established infection.

Biotron is now progressing protocols for a Phase Ib/IIa trial of BIT225 in HIV patients. This trial is in addition to the proposed Phase II trial of the same drug in patients infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV)."

I stated previously that inadequate efficacy or tolerability would see the company go bust, but this is of course a grossly inaccurate oversimplification. In the event of failure during the HEP C trials, and barring significant toxicity issues, the company will still plan to progress with the phase Ib/IIa HIV trials. They currently have about $1.6m in cash, and would need to raise additional funds (via placement), but it is estimated that the HIV market now equals or exceeds the value of the HEP C market. With an in-vitro reduction in virus transfer of 89%, BIT225 is going to attract serous interest as a potential HIV treatment.

I don't think this is quite as risky as is presently perceived. High risk yes, but not game over if we can't get past HEP C Phase II.

The current market cap is an aberration in logic.