February 11, 2016
Charlie Sheen Discusses Possibility of Taking PRO 140 for HIV
EDGE READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Yesterday, Nader Pourhassan, CEO of CytoDyn Inc., appeared on a popular TV show with HIV-positive sitcom star Charlie Sheen. Together before millions of viewers, they discussed the possibility of Sheen participating in a PRO 140 trial.
Several patients in the PRO 140 trials have completely suppressed viral loads after more than a year of not taking any pills in their HAART regimen. Sheen stated he was "very excited" to be considered as a patient in the PRO 140 monotherapy trial. The host of the popular TV show noted that his team will follow Charlie throughout the trials and document his expected recovery.
"PRO 140's easy, self-injectable subcutaneous delivery is the first such alternative to the existing HAART pill therapy. Not only does PRO 140 fully suppress the HIV virus, it also relieves the toxicity issue associated with the current meds. The repeatedly-proven PRO 140 antibody offers a more convenient experience with almost no side effects. One dose a week, or possibly in the future one dose a month, injected in each thigh could suppress the viral load," said Pourhassan.
Before starting the trial, Sheen must first go through the screening process to see if he qualifies for the trial. Sheen's previous lab results from a few years ago indicate he does qualify but he must take these tests again.
CytoDyn Inc. is a public company trading on the OTCQB under the symbol CYDY. CytoDyn is a biotechnology company focused on the clinical development and potential commercialization of humanized monoclonal antibodies for the treatment and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The Company has one of the leading monoclonal antibodies under development for HIV infection, PRO 140, which has finished Phase 2 clinical trials with demonstrated antiviral activity in man and is currently in Phase 3. �
PRO 140 blocks the HIV co-receptor CCR5 on T-cells which prevents viral entry. Clinical trial results thus far indicate that PRO 140 does not negatively affect the normal immune functions that are mediated by CCR5. �Results from six Phase 1 and Phase 2 human clinical trials have shown that PRO 140 can significantly reduce viral burden in people infected with HIV. �
A recent Phase 2b clinical trial demonstrated that PRO 140 can prevent viral escape in patients during several weeks of interruption from conventional drug therapy. �CytoDyn intends to continue to develop PRO 140 as a therapeutic anti-viral agent in persons infected with HIV and to pursue non-HIV indications where CCR5 and its ligand CCL5 may be involved. �
For more information, visit www.cytodyn.com