Roche official
urges collaboration on anti-HIV drug development

David Reddy, chief of the antiviral division at pharmaceutical giant Roche, says closer collaboration among makers of antiretroviral drugs is needed to stay ahead in the race to find new ways to treat HIV before the virus mutates defenses against existing treatments, London's Financial Times reports. Speaking before heading to the Third International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Reddy said that pharmaceutical companies have done little to date to collaborate on antiretroviral research but that joint efforts are needed to evaluate both existing treatment combinations and to devise new methods of attacking the virus. "We are looking to companies to collaborate in the development of new drugs. We are very open to discussion with other companies in this area," he told the Financial Times.

Reddy, however, cautioned against placing too much emphasis on the production of generic anti-HIV medications, saying that generic-drug firms do not conduct research into new, better antiretroviral medicines the way brand-name drug companies do. "The contribution that companies like Roche can bring should not be underestimated," he told the Financial Times. "Without research and development, there are no drugs. We've almost got all the low-hanging fruit. There is a real uphill battle now and the potential for the virus to catch up. We are trying to stay one step ahead."