LONDON (Alliance News) - FTSE 100-listed GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Thursday its joint venture ViiV Healthcare reported positive results in its two-drug regimen for the treatment of HIV.
GlaxoSmithKline shares were trading up 1.4% at 1,567.40, the second best performer in the FTSE 100 index at the open on Thursday.
ViiV is a joint venture between Glaxo, US drugs giant Pfizer Inc and Japan's Shionogi Ltd.
The GEMINI studies are part of ViiV Healthcare clinical trial for a two-drug regiment, involving the combination of dolutegravir and lamivudine medicines to treat HIV, as opposed to the standardised three-drug regimen.
The UK pharmaceutical giant said the studies met their primary endpoint demonstrating "the potency, safety and tolerability of the dolutegravir plus lamivudine combination" and showing similar efficacy to the three-drug regimen.
The studies seek to address long-term toxicity in people living with HIV by reducing the number of medicines used in their treatment, the company said.
Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of ViiV Healthcare John Pottage said: "People with HIV are living longer and more productive lives. However, under current standard of care, many patients still take three or more medicines every day.
"They [the GEMINI studies] affirm our two-drug regimen strategy, and reinforce our belief that many patients can control their disease with two drugs instead of three or more."
Glaxosmithkline (GSK)