UNAM scientists obtain patent to treat liver damage in HIV patients

Two researchers from the Cellular Physiology Institute (IFC) at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) obtained a patent on a chemical formulation that protects the liver of HIV/AIDS patients against side effects of antiretroviral drugs.

Doctor Rolando Hernández Muñoz and chemist Armando Butanda Ochoa pointed out that the data obtained through their experimental work proved that their formula was able to return the internal organ to its normal regenerative capacity.

The formula consists of combining concentrations of Zidovudine (AZT) , the most popular drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, with adenosine (ADO) , a compound that protects the liver and helps it regenerate, even with damages caused by cirrhosis and other liver diseases.

“We thought we could make a pharmaceutical formulation by combining the treatment with antiretroviral drugs such as the AZT, along with the ADO molecule or derivative substances, not only to protect the liver, but also to find a new initial treatment for patients who have gone untreated,” Hernández Muñoz explained.

The positive results obtained in the experimental stage motivated the scientists to obtain the patent called “Pharmaceutical composition of adenosine and antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of liver damage” before the Mexican Institute for Industrial Protection (IMPI) .

“A patent represents legal protection for an invention, in our case a chemical formulation. As of now, we are under the protection of the law, even though we haven’t launched the final drug,” Butanda stated in a press conference.

He explained that, at the current stage of the research, scientists must start a protocol for human trials, which will require the cooperation of a healthcare institution.

Following the protocol stage, the scientists will be able to make a technological transfer to a pharmaceutical company interested in launching the product.

“This is a very important achievement for the UNAM. Now we can bring a long and costly investigation to an end that translates into both human and economic benefits. Our work could result in a medicine that is useful for people’s health,” added Lourdes Massieu, the institute’s academic secretary .

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