Pharmaceutical Business review

Tobira announces pharmacokinetic, bioavailability, safety results from Cenicriviroc studies

Cenicriviroc (TBR-652) is a potent antagonist of CCR5, a co-receptor needed for HIV infection, and CCR2, another co-receptor prominently involved in several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Findings have shown that Cenicriviroc’s lack of CYP inhibition may lead to a low potential for drug interactions.

Cenicriviroc is currently in the Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of persons with HIV infection.

Tobira had announced its Phase 2a results in 2010 which had demonstrated potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity in treatment-experienced HIV patients.

The study findings included information on the potential for once-daily dosing, co-formulation with other antiretrovirals such as nucleoside-sparing or ritonavir-sparing combinations, and inflammation-mediating properties which distinguish cenicriviroc from first-generation CCR5 antagonists.

As of now, the company is finalizing its Phase 2b protocol and successfully engaging clinical trial sites for the investigation in treatment-naïve HIV patients.

The recent Cenicriviroc data was revealed at the ongoing Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections currently being held at Boston, Massachusetts.