|
Innovative research
Roche invests significantly in HIV research. Roche continues its search for innovative solutions in the management of HIV and AIDS and current research programmes are broad-ranging in their pursuit of improved formulations and regimens to make a difference to the lives of people living with the virus. In addition, the search for novel compounds with different mechanisms of action, the key to combating drug resistant strains of HIV, is a priority for the company.
Link to Roche Research and Development
Drug classes under investigation by Roche include:
- fusion inhibitors
- non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- chemokine receptor inhibitors
- RnaseH inhibitors
|
Diagnostic expertise
Roche has also pioneered polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, the most advanced method in molecular diagnostics for the rapid and reliable detection in the blood of infectious diseases like HIV. This technology earned its discoverer a Nobel prize and Roche�s PCR-based products now make it possible to monitor HIV disease progression and response to therapy allowing for improved individualised patient care. The same methodology is used worldwide to ensure the safety of donated blood and blood products. In 1994, Roche�s AMPLICOR HIV-1 Monitor� became the first commercial test to accurately measure HIV-1 RNA in the blood (�viral load�). This highly sensitive test can detect very low viral loads, well below the cut-off for other tests. This degree of accuracy, so vital to the success and durability of HIV therapy, ensures that the AMPLICOR HIV-1 Monitor� remains the only test approved by the FDA for viral load measuring.
| 
