New AIDS Drug from Abbott   

Abbott Laboratories' experimental drug, Kaletra, can help a wide range of HIV patients suppress the amount of virus in the blood for at least a year and a half, according to the company officials.

Kaletra appears to be more potent than other AIDS drugs called protease inhibitors, which are the cornerstone of effective combination drug treatments, said Eugene Sun, the head of Abbott's virology unit. Drug studies suggest Kaletra may also have few of the harsh side effects of other protease inhibitors.

Sun presented the findings on Kaletra during a company- sponsored symposium at the 13th International AIDS Conference. Final, Phase III data on Kaletra is expected to be presented at a September medical conference in Toronto.

Friday, July 05, 2002

 The Food and Drug Administration approved Kaletra, for use by both adults as well as HIV-infected infants and children who are older than 6 months of age.