Theraclone Sciences of Seattle has made a deal with Gilead Sciences of Californi

[dico]

Theraclone Sciences of Seattle has made a deal with Gilead Sciences of California.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/biotech/2014/07/theraclone-sciences-gilead-gild-hiv-aids.html

Ben Miller
Contributing Editor-
Puget Sound Business Journal

Theraclone Sciences Inc. of Seattle said it's made a deal with Gilead Sciences Inc. that will allow the Foster City-based biotech giant to develop and commercialize Theraclone's neutralizing HIV-antibodies for therapeutic applications in HIV.
The two companies didn't disclose the specific financial details but said Theraclone received an upfront payment. Theraclone also is eligible to receive additional development and commercialization milestone payments.
Gilead (NASDAQ: GILD), led by Chairman and CEO John Martin, is the world's leading developer of treatments for the AIDS virus.
“Through our innovative I-STAR technology, we are able to uncover unique antibodies that have the capacity to neutralize viruses, such as HIV, that are known to mutate and evade current therapies,” said Clifford Stocks, CEO of Theraclone, in a statement.
In December, a planned merger between privately held Theraclone, whose investors include Canaan Partners, Versant Ventures and Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), and PharmAthene Inc. of Maryland was called off.

[dico]

What do you think ?

[Matts]

Normally all the research leads to nothing, but if Gilead pays $$ it has to be something interesting.
Theraclone found 17 broadly neutralizing antibodies in 2011.
Maybe they are so promising that Gilead wants develop a vaccine in the next decade. Money shouldnt be a problem after the Sovaldi success

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110818/Researchers-isolate-17-novel-antibodies-against-HIV.aspx
 

[tryingtostay]

A vaccine for people who don't have it (HIV) ? or am I reading this wrong?

[Cosmicdancer]

It's a therapeutic vaccine, not just preventative.  In fact, on Theraclone Sciences' website, they say they may be useful for HIV positive people who are resistant to existing drugs.  Here's a description of their therapeutic programs from their website.

HIV:  In collaboration with IAVI, Theraclone has discovered a large panel of broadly neutralizing and highly potent anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies that recognize novel epitopes present in a broad range of viruses in circulation. IAVI is investigating these epitopes to potentially inform and guide vaccine design against HIV. The antibodies may be useful as therapeutic drug candidates to treat HIV infections, such as in patients resistant to existing drugs. Theraclone’s aim is to identify a licensee for the therapeutic use of these monoclonal antibodies.

http://www.theraclone-sciences.com/therapeutic-programs.php

[tryingtostay]

So how does this vaccine differ from today's hiv meds for people who are HIV+  ??  It's a possible new med for HIV+ individuals who are resistant to today's hiv drug therapy??

[geobee]

I asked about the ABs when I was at Quest screening for the Sangamo trial.  They were conducting a trial -- people got UD with weekly injections.  Some people actually preferred it to taking meds.    I always thought it was salvage therapy but, who knows, maybe it will be more than that.  One good thing is you don't get resistance to the ABs.