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Kinfe Ken Redda, interim vice
president of research at Florida A&M University (FAMU), and his research
team have received a patent for the development of therapeutic agents suitable
for treating humans who are infected with HIV. They were awarded US Patent
#8,314,143 titled, “Synthetic Flavonoids and Pharmaceutical Compositions and
Therapeutic Methods of Treatment of HIV Infection and other Pathologies.” Redda
was principal investigator and co-inventor.
The patent includes a group of
compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are present in vascular plants and are
known for their range of biological activities. Redda’s team has developed
compounds that are synthetic flavonoid derivatives designed to target a
specific enzyme, HIV integrase. Redda stated that the compounds showed superior
inhibitory activities compared to zidovudine (AZT), a drug used for HIV
treatment. He admits that there is a long way to go before the right remedy for
treating HIV is developed, but Redda believes that they have taken the first
step, and sees great potential for the compounds to become an effective
HIV/AIDS treatment.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
