GENE-THERAPY FOR HIV-INFECTION

There have recently been a number of developments in research directed towards therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection ba sed on gene transfer, including the initiation of and preliminary resu lts from several Phase II clinical trials based on ex vivo gene therap y. Basic molecular research has continued to produce novel strategies for inhibiting HIV replication whilst, at the same time, there have be en advances in the development of viral and non-viral delivery systems . This review gives an overview of the most relevant patent submission s of the previous three years relating to gene therapy and related sub jects. Given the volume of patents submitted over this period, it has been impossible to summarise every relevant submission; however, those submissions where supportive data for efficacy have been published in peer-reviewed journals have received preference.