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GlaxoSmithKline have recently signed a partnership with the University of North Carolina and they are preparing to launch an in-depth research and development study to find a cure for HIV.
This continues to be the stigma of our times, with no permanent treatment or cure envisioned to kill the virus. More than 35 million people worldwide suffer from AIDS and this new initiative could be the thread of hope all the ill want to cling to.
The recent healing of an HIV contaminated patient who benefited from a long term treatment for leukemia has opened new paths of discovery in the AIDS realm. Timothy Brown, the “Berlin patient” had his HIV eradicated by a complex treatment in 2007. This marked the first realistic perspective in finding a cure for the disease.
Curing HIV in the case of Timothy consisted of a stem cell transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation resistant to HIV infection. However, this is still a complicated method that cannot be replicated on a large scale. Researchers are clinging to less limited resources and more simplified systems to exploit recent discoveries in immune system-boosting drugs.
The new research center gathered together experts from GSK and UNC at Chapple Hill. These top scientists will focus on one of the areas of most intense interest – finding a cure for AIDS. Qura Therapeutics LLC will also join their adventure, in managing intellectual property and other business matters related to the partnership.
GSK declared they will invest $20 million to help support the work for an initial five years. The budget sounds promising but even more so would be the actual work that could offer a new perspective over the medical care treatments.
Scientists will join together to study various cure options. Experts from University of Carolina developed a shock-and-kill method, which unmasks inactive HIV hiding in white blood cells just to be attacked by a boosted immune system. Whether this method will gain further research and be applied on patients or scientists will find a better alternative, there is now a budget waiting to be spent on efficient facts.
Scientists and researchers have set a 10 years deadline to gain more knowledge around the mechanisms that could enable them to find a cure. In less than 20 years there is a chance for an HIV cure to be developed.
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