Heidelberg Pharma Starts Second Phase II Study With HIV Drug

German drugmaker Heidelberg Pharma has begun a second clinical Phase II study with its HIV drug Fosalvudine.

Thirty-six patients in Russia and Argentina will participate in the randomized, double-blind study in HIV-1-infected patients who have developed resistance against multiple nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Patients will receive 10-, 20- or 40-mg oral daily doses of Fosalvudine in combination with at least two additional antiretroviral compounds or their previous medication over a 14-day period.

The reduction of viral load, tolerability and pharmacokinetic properties of Fosalvudine will be evaluated. Results are expected in the first quarter of 2008, Heidelberg Pharma said.