Bill Gates and his wife Melinda are involved in humanitarian actions. Through their foundation they have already invested billions of dollars in various actions whether to advance research to eradicate diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria or to save the lives of newborns around the world through vaccination. The last “BA” of the Gates couple works in favor of struggle against AIDS. They signed a check for $ 140 million (around 134 million euros) to create a subcutaneous implant to deliver anti-retroviral drugs. The project is carried out in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Intarcia.
A less restrictive preventive solution
What is it about ? This implant of a few centimeters is placed under the patient’s skin, and would work under the same model as the subcutaneous device for type 2 diabetes. Once installed, it is responsible for autonomously freeing antiretroviralsand therefore protect the patient’s body from HIV contamination. The protective action against the virus would last from six to twelve months.
This new therapeutic option would prove to be less restrictive than the current solution which requires taking medication daily with the associated risk of forgetting.
The sub-Saharan populations most vulnerable to AIDS would be the most likely to benefit from this practical treatment which would offer “prevention in their daily life” in the words of Bill Gates, repeated by AFP.
The commercialization of this preventive implant against HIV is expected within one to two years.
.@FT highlighted new projects with the potential to ease the burden of maternal and child mortality around the https://t.co/RtnH6r3gG3
– Gates Foundation (@gatesfoundation) December 15, 2016
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