cannabisbusinessinsights.comOCT - NOV 20258IN MY OPINIONCHILDREN ARE NOT JUST SMALL ADULTS: THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING NEW MEDICINES FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIVBy Sherene Min, VP, Head of Clinical Development, ViiV HealthcareSherene MinWith the success of antiretrovirals (ARVs) and the approval of innovative new options for treatment and prevention, there is a public perception that HIV is no longer a problem. However, HIV is still a global health concern, and particular attention is needed for children living with HIV and the development of new, more effective, pediatric treatments.Almost 2 million children around the world are living with HIV, and approximately 160,000 children and adolescents (< 15 years of age) were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2021. Just over 50% of children living with HIV have access to treatment (compared with ~75% of adults) and lower proportions compared with adults have an appropriate response to therapy (i.e., virus suppression). In addition, fewer antiretrovirals (ARVs), the mainstay of HIV therapy, are available in appropriate formulations for infaWnts and young children compared with the approved ARVs for adults. Newer ARVs, including better tolerated, more effective combination therapy, are desperately needed for the pediatric HIV population. Despite regulatory requirements and incentives from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) to develop new pediatric medicines, challenges remain in formulation development, operationalization of clinical trials and access and supply of pediatric ARVs. ViiV Healthcare is committed to addressing these challenges to find new and better ways to develop age-appropriate HIV medicines.
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