|
SECURE THE FUTURE™ Funds Study Aimed At Reducing Mother-To-Child HIV/AIDS Transmission
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (July 12, 2000) -- A groundbreaking project aimed at reducing the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, is among the latest research grants approved by SECURE THE FUTURE™, the US$100 million commitment by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. UNAIDS has estimated that almost six million HIV/AIDS infections occur each year, most of them in Africa. Ten percent of these occur in children, the majority due to mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The study, led by Dr. Glenda Gray, director of the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand, will investigate whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) will reduce the incidence of infection in infants whose mothers did not access anti-retroviral therapy during pregnancy or in labor. The grant is for US$700 thousand (R4,2 million). The Perinatal HIV Research Unit is a joint project of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Pediatrics of the University of the Witwatersrand at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The Unit was formed as a joint Research Unit in 1996. The Directors, Professor James McIntyre (obstetrician) and Dr Glenda Gray (pediatrician) have worked in the field of HIV/AIDS in women and children for more than 10 years, and have been at the forefront of this field in South Africa. The Perinatal HIV Research Unit has been involved in research, training, policy formation and advocacy in issues concerning HIV-positive women and their children. The unit is the largest HIV preventive and clinical research unit in South Africa. In addition, Epitope, Inc. (Nasdaq: EPTO) of Beaverton, Oregon will be contributing $50,000 worth of its OraQuick HIV-1/2Œ rapid oral fluid tests. Epitope is the manufacturer of OraQuickŒ, the new rapid HIV test that can test HIV antibodies (types 1 and 2) using oral fluid, whole blood, or serum/plasma. The test by Epitope will be launched at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. This study builds on a body of evidence on the effectiveness of antiretrovirals in MTCT. Most recently, a study undertaken in Uganda demonstrated that one dose of nevaripine given to the mother in labor and one to the infant within 72 hours of birth, reduced transmission by 47 percent. "Labor and delivery appear to be times of high risk for vertical transmission. As much as 70% of vertical transmission occurs at this time and so strategies to prevent transmission in this period will have a dramatic impact in reducing MTCT," says Dr Gray. "What is not known is the value of PEP antiretroviral therapy in reducing transmission of HIV to infants whose mothers did not access therapy during pregnancy or in labor." The study will compare the efficacy of zidovudine and nevaripine, both proven inhibitors of HIV-1 replication. "HIV/AIDS has increased infant and child mortality dramatically in Africa and is expected to lead to a doubling of under-5 mortality by 2010 in southern African countries. In contrast, developed countries have reduced MTCT rates to below 5 percent and it is possible that complete elimination of vertical infection will occur in future," says Dr Gray. Dr. Ashraf Grimwood, medical director, SECURE THE FUTURE stated: "This pioneering study will provide insight for expanding strategies to combat MTCT in the developing world which are critically important in curbing the course of the HIV/AIDS pandemic." Robert Thompson, president and chief executive officer of Epitope said, "We are pleased to donate our new oral fluid rapid HIV test, OraQuickŒ, which is making its debut here in Durban this week. OraQuickŒ allows the rapid diagnosis of HIV-1 and2 with a swab of the gums, thus eliminating the possibility of needle stick injuries to the health care worker. Epitope also plans to donate a portion of OraQuickŒ sales here to help support the Orphans of AIDS program in South Africa." Epitope, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets medical devices and diagnostic products utilizing its proprietary oral fluid technologies for sale to public- and private-sector clients worldwide. The company's primary focus is on the detection of HIV antibodies and drugs of abuse. SECURE THE FUTURE is the Bristol-Myers Squibb's commitment to provide care and support for women and children with HIV/AIDS in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. Grants awarded through the program fund medical research, community outreach, as well as education and training for health professionals. Since SECURE THE FUTURE was introduced in May 1999, more than US$31.5 million (R189 million) in grants have been awarded to programs providing orphan care, home-based care, as well as training programs for physicians, nurses and rural health care workers. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a US$20 billion diversified, global health and personal care company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life. Visit Bristol-Myers Squibb at www.bms.com For more information, contact: Viccy Baker, 011-27-82-856-0242.
|