Kucera Pharmaceuticals develops anti-HIV chemical molecule

Kucera Pharmaceutical Co. announced that the company is working on a new chemical molecule, called KPC-2, that has shown promise in preventing HIV replication, the Winston-Salem [N.C.] Journal reports. The man-made molecule can be injected or taken orally, and early tests have shown that it is safe for human use. A commercial lab is currently testing the molecule to determine if it is as effective when administered orally as opposed to being injected, how the body processes the molecule, and its long-term effects. Researchers also are continuing to study precisely how KPC-2 prevents HIV from copying itself. Kucera CEO Russ Read said, "We're not sure how it works, but it's a new mode toward treating HIV." The company plans to seek Food and Drug Administration approval of KPC-2 as an investigational new drug in order to begin clinical trials.