GlaxoSmithKline named recipient of 2004 Belleau-Nickerson Award for the first AIDS drug, Retrovir®
MISSISSAUGA, ON (October 14, 2004) - GlaxoSmithKline has been honoured with the 2004 Belleau-Nickerson Award for Retrovir®(AZTT), presented at the Prix Galien gala ceremony in Montreal. This award acknowledges drugs marketed within the last 10 years that have made a significant contribution to pharmacotherapy in terms of efficacy, safety and innovation.[1]
Approved for use in Canada in 1991, Retrovir was the first medication available worldwide for the treatment of HIV infection - the virus that causes AIDS. Treatment with Retrovir, as well as other therapies, has been shown to prolong survival and decrease the incidence of opportunistic infections in patients with advanced HIV disease and also delay disease progression in asymptomatic patients who are HIV-positive. From 1994 to 1997 alone, AIDS-related mortality declined by more than 70 per cent.[2]
"We are proud of this award and the enormous contributions Retrovir has made in the fight against HIV/AIDS," says Dr. Rav Kumar, Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs and Pharmaceutical R&D at GlaxoSmithKline. "HIV/AIDS used to be seen as an inevitable death sentence but Retrovir, followed by many other drugs, now offer hope to patients and we are seeing AIDS as a treatable disease. Today, Retrovir continues to be one of the most prescribed drugs for HIV/AIDS therapy."
At the end of 2002, an estimated 56,000 people in Canada were living with HIV infection, including those who also have AIDS; this is an increase from the estimated 49,800 HIV infections in 1999.[3]
While many infected individuals are living longer, healthier lives, and the rate of deaths from AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses has declined substantially, Canada's HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved in unforeseen ways.[4]
Most disturbing is the fact that the virus continues to spread. Despite evidence that Canadians generally have a good understanding of modes of HIV transmission, risk factors and prevention options, about 4,200 new infections occur in Canada each year.[2] As well, while there has been tremendous progress in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, today's therapies do not work for everyone and they stop working for some over time.
"While we celebrate the advances in HIV/AIDS treatment, even more must be done to respond to this disease," adds Dr. Kumar. "That's why we are continuing our efforts to simplify existing regimens and identify new compounds in the fight against HIV/AIDS. And at the community level, we are supporting a number of projects across Canada to ensure those with HIV/AIDS receive education, community support and access to effective treatments."
Globally, all of GlaxoSmithKline's HIV/AIDS medicines are available to the public sector at not-for-profit prices in 63 of the world's poorest countries.
About Prix Galien
Prix Galien is an annual award that recognizes and promotes pharmaceutical research and innovation. It was established in 1970 by French pharmacist Roland Mehl and has since expanded to numerous countries around the world, specifically Canada in 1994.
The Belleau-Nickerson Award is strictly Canadian and is named after two eminent researchers who left their mark on pioneering research in Canada - Dr. Bernard Belleau and Dr. Mark Nickerson. The Belleau-Nickerson Award is selected by a jury of the deans of pharmacy faculties in Canada.
In 1994, Glaxo Canada won the first-ever Prix Galien award in Canada for Imitrex®, a treatment for migraine. In 1997, GlaxoSmithKline and BioChem Pharma shared the Prix Galien for the HIV/AIDS treatment 3TC®. And in 2001, GlaxoSmithKline was awarded the Prix Galien Belleau-Nickerson Award in Canada for Zofran®, which helps prevent nausea associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and health-care companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. In Canada, GlaxoSmithKline is a top 20 investor in Canadian research and development, contributing more than $100 million annually. The company is also among the top 10 corporate charitable donors and is recognized as one of the 50 best companies to work for in Canada.
® Retrovir, Imitrex, 3TC and Zofran are registered trademarks, used under license by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
For more information please contact:
Alison Steeves
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
905-819-3363
Fiona Bassett
Cohn & Wolfe
416) 924-5700 ext. 4049
References:
- The Belleau-Nickerson Award is given to products that have been on the market for at least three years.
- HIV Outpatient Study Investigations, Declining Morbidity and Mortality Among Patients with Advanced HIV Infection. The New England Journal of Medicine, March 26, 1998, Vol. 338, No.13
- http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/hiv_aids/report03/index.html
- http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/publicat/epiu-aepi/hiv-vih