AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections

February 4, 2025 – Revium Rx (formerly Revium Recovery Inc., OTC: RVRC) has completed the strategic acquisition of LipoVation Ltd., an Israeli development-stage company specializing in lipid-based nano/micro particle medicines. This acquisition marks a significant shift in Revium Rx’s focus toward nanoparticle-based therapeutics, positioning the company at the forefront of advanced drug delivery technologies for hard-to-treat diseases. LipoVation’s core technology was conceptualized by Prof. Yehezkel Barenholz, a world-renowned scientist and the inventor of Doxil, the first FDA-approved liposomal chemotherapy drug, widely used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma. With this acquisition, LipoVation becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Revium Rx, aligning with the company’s renewed commitment to drug delivery innovation. Revium Rx is developing a portfolio of advanced therapeutics, currently in the development stage, aimed at expanding the potential of existing treatments. Key programs include: A novel systemic formulation of a highly potent antibiotic, previously limited to topical use, designed to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. A cutting-edge adjuvant to enhance immune checkpoint inhibitors, improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. An innovative approach to immunization, leveraging novel peptides and lipid-based technology for emerging infectious diseases. These next-generation encapsulated therapeutics are built on three core proprietary technologies: Clinically validated nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. Advanced drug-loading and release systems to optimize bioavailability. Specialized lipid-based carriers for enhanced stability and controlled release. Following the acquisition, David Akunis has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Revium Rx, bringing extensive managerial experience and financial expertise to drive the company’s new direction. With a strong background in fundraising and leadership, he is dedicated to advancing Revium Rx’s mission of developing innovative nanoparticle-based therapeutics and expanding the company’s impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Inna Martin, who has served as CEO since December 2020, has transitioned to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President, focusing on product development and clinical trial preparation. This strategic shift ensures that Revium Rx progresses rapidly toward clinical-stage development while expanding strategic partnerships and accelerating growth. “As the demand for safer and more effective treatments continues to grow, our mission is to expand and enhance the therapeutic potential of existing treatments by utilizing proven drug delivery technologies to improve efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes,” said David Akunis, CEO of Revium Rx. “Revium Rx's encapsulated therapeutics platform represents a transformative step forward in the fight against resistant infections, cancer, and emerging infectious diseases.” With this new strategic direction, Revium Rx continues to expand its research and development efforts, forging key partnerships and advancing its pipeline of highly potent therapeutics. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.

KAMPALA, Uganda--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Following the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 55 th Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation ( AHF ) has renewed its call for a comprehensive global audit of HIV data. This renewed urgency follows a news report on UNAIDS' latest 95-95-95 epidemic control progress report, which states that six African nations, alongside Kenya, have met testing and treatment targets for the general population. According to the report, Kenya has achieved 95-95-90 against a target of 95-90-86—meaning that 95% of people know their HIV status, 95% are on treatment, and 90% have achieved viral load suppression. Kenya also claimed that 97% of people with HIV know they are positive. However, in 2023, Kenya recorded over 17,000 new HIV infections and more than 21,000 AIDS-related deaths, highlighting persistent challenges such as treatment retention like most countries. Kenya’s government has faced sharp criticisms and ongoing legal action over nationwide antiretroviral (ARV) stockouts in 2021, which left many patients without access to lifesaving medication. Similarly, a 2024 study on pediatric ART availability revealed frequent stockouts and extremely low access to second and third-line treatment options for children. “While we recognize and commend the significant strides made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, there remains a troubling gap between some of the reported statistics and the realities on the ground globally,” said Dr. Penninah Iutung , AHF Africa Bureau Chief. “This discrepancy underscores the critical need for accurate, inclusive, and transparent data.” Dr. Iutung also expressed concern that UNAIDS' reported figures for treatment and viral suppression fail to account for patients who drop out of care. “Achieving effective AIDS control demands a stronger emphasis on retention,” she stressed. These concerns align with findings published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ Open), which highlighted the limitations of current UNAIDS data in reflecting the actual state of HIV treatment retention. Earlier this year, AHF President Michael Weinstein addressed these issues in an open letter to UNAIDS and the World Health Organization. He called for an audit of at least 10% of patient charts globally to ensure accurate site and country-level reporting. Weinstein also offered AHF's support for this initiative, leveraging the organization's experience auditing the patient data of its more than 2 million clients worldwide. The need for such an audit is underscored by the alarming statistics from 2023: An estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV, and 630,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. “These numbers highlight that we are far from achieving AIDS control,” said Weinstein. “Inflating progress risks fostering a false sense of victory, diminishing political will, funding, and global momentum in the fight against HIV/AIDS.” The conclusion of the 55th PCB meeting marks a pivotal moment to prioritize data accuracy and retention efforts. Robust data systems that capture the realities of all populations—particularly those frequently marginalized—are vital for an equitable HIV response. “Data accuracy is not just a metric; it’s a lifeline,” added Dr. Iutung. “Governments, development partners, and healthcare providers must invest in systems that bridge the gap between reported success and lived realities, ensuring no one is left behind.” AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 2.2 million clients in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org , find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

Gilead announced Wednesday that it will allow certain drug manufacturers to make and sell a generic version of its twice-yearly HIV shot lenacapavir in 120 low- and lower-middle income countries. But the pharma company’s plans won’t make lenacapavir accessible in many key countries where a twice-yearly prevention drug could be transformative for combating the spread of HIV, according to drug access experts. Two large studies have shown that lenacapavir given twice a year can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. Lenacapavir made waves earlier this year when Gilead announced that the injection fully prevented HIV in a study with cisgender women, and the striking results led the trial to stop early. A second study showed the drug reduced risk in cisgender men, transgender men, transgender women and gender non-binary individuals who have sex with partners assigned male at birth. Lenacapavir is not yet approved anywhere in the world for HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), but Gilead said it plans to begin regulatory filings by the end of this year. The company is granting six drug manufacturers voluntary licenses to make and sell the drug for PrEP as well as treatment for certain adults with multi-drug resistant HIV, where it is already approved as Sunlenca. The manufacturers include Dr. Reddy’s, Emcure, Eva Pharma, Ferozsons Laboratories, Hetero and Viatris subsidiary Mylan. In the US, Sunlenca has a list price of $42,250 for the first year and $39,000 every year after that. A study presented in late July showed the drug could be made for $40 . When asked about pricing of lenacapavir for PrEP, Gilead said in an email that the drug is experimental and “while we prepare for regulatory filings, it is too early to state the price.” Gilead said in its press release Wednesday that it’s also prioritizing lenacapavir registration in 18 countries “that represent about 70% of the HIV burden in the countries named in the license,” in order to provide lenacapavir until generics are available. However, advocates have been calling for Gilead to allow generic production of lenacapavir through the Medicines Patent Pool, a UN-backed program that would enable generic production for all low- and middle-income countries, not just the ones that Gilead has selected. “It is concerning that Gilead’s latest announcement seems to mention neither upper-middle income countries, where people cannot afford anything like lenacapavir’s current $42,250 price tag, nor a commitment to work with the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool,” UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima said in a statement in July in response to Gilead’s announcement of the Phase 3 results in cisgender women. UNAIDS’ press release noted that these upper-middle-income countries account for 41% of new HIV infections and 37% of all people living with HIV. Global estimates say that in 2023, 39.9 million people are living with HIV, including 1.3 million newly infected, while 630,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses last year. Brook Baker, senior policy analyst for Health GAP and professor emeritus at Northeastern University School of Law, pointed out that several excluded countries are those where Gilead conducted clinical trials, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Peru, but the company has promised access only to trial participants. He added that the terms of Gilead’s agreement strongly deter manufacturers from making and selling the drug outside of the 120 countries that it has permitted. Baker said that Gilead’s moves “prevent supply to potentially profitable upper-middle-income markets.” Gilead said in an email Wednesday that it believes that “working directly with our licensees will ensure we are able to rapidly transfer our technology and address challenges as they arise,” and for middle-income countries, it is “exploring several innovative strategies to support access to LEN for PrEP (if approved), including tiered pricing, and are working with payors to establish fast, efficient pathways to help reach people who need or want PrEP.” Baker said that tiered pricing often comes with “no price transparency” and countries are “negotiating blind” with drug companies.