Researchers try to gain ground on AIDS

Trying to stay one step ahead of the virus that causes AIDS, doctors and researchers are looking for ways to disable or disrupt the virus in as many stages of its life cycle as possible, particularly aiming at reproductive stages not being attacked by other drugs.Gaithersburg-based Panacos Pharmaceuticals is testing a drug called Bevirimat, which blocks the last step in the HIV life cycle ? retarding its maturation after a new virus exits an infected cell.

“Resistance to currently approved drugs is probably the leading cause of treatment failure,” Panacos Chief Operating Officer and President Graham Allaway, said.