Preparing for Generics
TAGline • 2013The push for affordable HIV treatment doesn鈥檛 end with patent expirations By Tim Horn Expiry of guidelines-preferred and -alternative first-line ARTs The United States is on course for some much-needed economic relief from the crippling cost of HIV treatment, with the anticipated arrival of generic versions of guidelines-preferred antiretrovirals. However, much preparation is required to…
The Tuberculosis Treatment Pipeline
Pipeline • 2013June 2013 Better than Ever Is Not Good Enough By Erica Lessem NOTE: a postscript section at the end of this article includes periodic updates since publication in June 2013. Introduction In December 2012, tuberculosis (TB) treatment reached a historic landmark with the first approval by a stringent regulatory authority of a new agent from…
Hepatitis C Drug Development Catapults Onward
Pipeline • 2013June 2013 By Tracy Swan Thanks to Jules Levin The pace of, and progress in, hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug development are astonishing. In April 2011, proof-of-concept for safe, effective, peginterferon-free HCV treatment was announced. Since then, numerous trials have confirmed that hepatitis C virus is curable with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), regardless of HCV treatment…
The Pediatric Antiretroviral Pipeline
Pipeline • 2013June 2013 By Polly Clayden The last Pipeline Report described a bumper year for pediatric antiretroviral approvals. This one reports after a year in which new approvals were fewer and far between. Although the pipeline for children continues to look promising, pediatric investigational programs mostly sauntered along, with only two new United States Food and…
2013 HIV, HCV, and TB Pipeline Executive Summary and Research Policy Recommendations
Pipeline • 2013June 2013 2013 HIV pipeline executive summary The 2013 HIV pipeline comprises adult and pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) development and dose-optimization research as well as antiretroviral preventive technologies, research toward a cure, and immune-based and gene therapies. Adult and pediatric ART clinical research continues to move forward robustly, with encouraging movement on the dose-optimization front.…
CRAG, TAG Welcome Sanofi U.S. Commitment to Reduce the Price of Tuberculosis Drug Rifapentine
Statement / Press • 2013The Community Research Advisors Group (CRAG) and Treatment Action Group (TAG) welcome the Sanofi U.S. decision to lower the price of the tuberculosis (TB) drug rifapentine to $32 per 32-tablet blister pack. The company indicates that the new price will become effective in January 2014 under 340(b) Public Health Service pricing.
HIV Prevention Is the Surest Way to Fight AIDS
TAGline • 2013ACT UP/NY demands Department of Health accountability at the epicenter of the U.S. epidemic and commits to reinvigorate the national prevention agenda By Jim Eigo and James Krellenstein, ACT UP/NY The authors, James Krellenstein (left) and Jim Eigo, at an August 15 demonstration at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where…
First-Ever Targeted Roadmap Outlines Steps to End Childhood TB Deaths
Statement / Press • 2013Cost to end deaths from childhood TB estimated to be at least US$120 million annually WASHINGTON D.C. | October 1, 2013 — The deaths of more than 74聽000 children from tuberculosis (TB) could be prevented each year through measures outlined in the first ever action plan developed specifically on TB and children. The Roadmap for…
Sanofi鈥檚 Double-Edged Sword
TAGline • 2013Rifapentine鈥檚 manufacturer helps to advance TB research while stalling access By Erica Lessem Sanofi-Aventis, manufacturer of the tuberculosis (TB) drug rifapentine (Priftin), can be credited for aiding research efforts to shorten and simplify treatment dosing for TB. However, the company鈥檚 pricing of the drug has hampered access to such regimens, even in resource-rich nations like…
A Global Plan to End AIDS Everywhere but at Home
TAGline • 2013The bold, aggressive new plan released by Hillary Clinton once again wildly surpasses in ambition what U.S. officials dare attempt in this country. This article was first published on December 1, 2012, in theAtlantic.com. by Mark Harrington On Thursday, outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released the Obama administration’s Blueprint for an AIDS-Free Generation, fulfilling…