GlaxoSmithKline reports encouraging results from HIV drug trial

(Sharecast News) - Blue chip GlaxoSmithKline said a study into a new HIV drug regime, which could dramatically reduce the number of annual doses required, had been "encouraging".The London-listed drugs group presented the research, carried out by ViiV Healthcare, at the HIV Glasgow Drug Therapy meeting in Scotland on Monday. ViiV Healthcare specialises in HIV and is majority owned by Glaxo alongside minority shareholders Pfizer and Shiongi.The three-year, phase IIb study investigated whether a long-acting two drug injectable regimen could replace oral drugs, potentially reducing the number of annual doses from 365 to 12.Glaxo said that the study showed that the regimen, administered every eight or four weeks, "demonstrated high rates of virologic response, long-term durability of virologic response and good overall tolerability".John Pottage, ViiV Healthcare's chief scientific and medical officer, added: "Our two-drug regimen research efforts explore a number of treatment options that look beyond viral load and focus on addressing the unresolved issues that many people living with HIV face."It is encouraging to see these results.Shares in Glaxo were ahead 1.5% by 11am on Monday, at 1,532p.