Phase III trials of tipranavir under way

Boehringer Ingelheim announced Wednesday the launch of two Phase III clinical trials of its second-generation, non-peptidic protease inhibitor tipranavir for use in combination HIV therapy. The trials include 1,500 people who've already taken medications from all anti-HIV drug classes and are being conducted at more than 280 sites worldwide. Many of the participants are resistant to at least one currently available medication,

Tipranavir is the first non-peptidic protease inhibitor in development for the treatment of infection. "Initial studies have demonstrated that tipranavir is among the most promising anti-HIV drugs in development, particularly for treatment-experienced patients unable to construct a viable regimen with currently available antiretrovirals," said Kathleen Squires of the University of Southern California, which is participating in the trials. Boehringer Ingelheim also plans to study tipranavir in treatment-naive adult patients and in children.