DNDi and Cipla to develop 4-in-1 pediatric antiretroviral drug combination

Coinciding with the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a not-for-profit R&D organization, announced a new collaboration with Indian drug manufacturer Cipla (BSE: 500087) to develop and produce an improved first-line antiretroviral (ARV) combination therapy specifically adapted to meet the treatment needs of infants and toddlers living with HIV/AIDS.

Once delivered, this new pediatric ARV combination could help to accelerate the provision of care to the world's youngest children living with HIV/AIDS, who are at very high risk of dying without treatment. An estimated 3.4 million children have HIV/AIDS, but less than a quarter currently have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), compared with 54% for adults. Without treatment, more than half of children with HIV/AIDS will die before their second birthday, and 80% will die before they turn five.

Insufficient pediatric options