Maraviroc would be the first in a new class of AIDS treatments called CCR5 antagonists, which work by blocking viral entry. Here’s how: Rather than fighting HIV inside white blood cells, CCR5 antagonists prevent the virus produced by infected cells from entering uninfected cells by blocking its primary entry route, the CCR5 co-receptor.

John LaMattina, Pfizer’s research chief, was understandably upbeat this morning: “We expect that CCR5 antagonists, like maraviroc, will become critically important new treatment options for patients who are resistant or intolerant to their current HIV/AIDS therapies.”

You can read more about Maraviroc studies and its history here.

[tags]AIDS, Pfizer[/tags]