Gilead on HIV: New research, new treatments and the potential for a cure

We caught up with Gilead‘s Mike Elliott to find out the latest in HIV medication and whether a cure is finally within our reach…

HIV capsid inhibitors – what are they and how do they work to attack the virus?

Capsid inhibitors are a new class of medicines that have the potential to be used as novel long-acting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the future, to improve upon currently available treatments and address the unmet needs of PLWHIV while we continue to search for a cure.

Previously, the capsid was not an explored target for ART and the study presented at CROI 2017 identified a novel capsid inhibitor, GS-CA1, that has a highly potent antiviral activity and a favourable resistance profile compared to existing ARVs, in vitro.

Inside the HIV virus, a conical capsid encloses the viral (RNA) genome. This capsid is essential for viral replication and plays an important role in the early and late stages of the viral life cycle:

  • Early on, when the viral and host-cell membranes fuse, the capsid is released into the host cell and ‘uncoats’, allowing for viral replication
  • Following replication of the viral genome, a new capsid forms at the end of the replication process to produce a mature viral particle

The data show that GS-CA1 has a dual mechanism of action, targeting the role of the capsid in both stages of the replication process.

In addition to being a highly potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication, in an animal model, GS-CA1, maintained target plasma concentrations for over 10 weeks, following a single subcutaneous administration.

Based on these results, we plan to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials of GS-CA1 in 2018.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office. (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During the Canada Post strike, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service

The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
For more details and example reports, please click on the button below