IVAGEN launches anti-R7V ELISA for detection of AIDS protective antibodies

IVAGEN of France has announced the signature of an exclusive, worldwide licence with the laboratory of Professor Jean Claude Chermann – co-discoverer of the virus responsible for AIDS – for the manufacture and distribution of the anti-R7V ELISA test. This new test, for the detection of the presence of anti-R7V antibodies in HIV-positive patients, helps the clinician to identify patients who may be non-progressors. IVAGEN will attend the MEDICA trade show in Düsseldorf from 16 to 19 November 2005.

It has been scientifically demonstrated that anti-R7V antibodies isolated from HIV-positive patients have the property of neutralising all strains of HIV, from no matter which geographical area or genotype and phenotype, even if resistant to anti-retroviral drugs. In this way these antibodies are concluded to be protective.

A retrospective study involving 989 samples collected from HIV-positive patients has demonstrated a correlation of 85.7% between non-progression and the presence of anti-R7V antibodies in HIV positive patients.

HIV-positive patients are considered to be non-progressors when they remain non-symptomatic for over 10 years after being detected as HIV positive, with stable CD4 counts and if their viral load does not evolve. The new anti-R7V ELISA test detects these protective antibodies and is a clinically valuable indication when taken into account with CD4 counts and viral load.

The test does not put the efficacy of anti-retroviral therapy into question, but the use of these anti-viral agents is not without side effects and inconvenience for patients. The anti-R7V ELISA is, therefore, a useful indication to the clinician in making therapeutic decisions and is used at the initiation of HIV infection to detect non-progressors. The clinician then prescribes the test quarterly to monitor the patients and, in conjunction with other biological and clinical parameters such as CD4 counts and viral load, can make decisions on whether to apply therapy or not.
Dr Jean Claude Aziza, President of IVAGEN, says, "This is an exceptional opportunity for IVAGEN. Management of HIV has become increasingly difficult with viral resistance and fastidious regimes for the patients; the anti-R7V ELISA test will bring an important test to the arsenal already available to the clinician."

IVAGEN will be present at the following trade fairs: MEDICA (Hall 3K27) in Düsseldorf from 16 to 19 November 2005, and ARABLAB in Dubai from 16 to 20 February 2006.

About IVAGEN

IVAGEN is a privately owned diagnostic company based in Nîmes in the south-east of France. It manufactures and markets in-vitro tests for the human, veterinary and phyto-sanitary markets worldwide, both directly and through an extensive network of distributors.
For further information, please go to: www.ivagen.com