Zeria Pharmaceutical Co. said Wednesday it has started clinical tests in the United States of a drug to combat the human immunodeficiency virus, following approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Tokyo-based company said preliminary research at the University of Texas shows that the drug, which is currently used in Japan under the name Answer 20, limits the fall of leukocytes in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and can stop the virus from invading other cells.
Zeria Pharmaceutical said that as the drug's mechanism is different from existing anti-AIDS drugs, its combined use with those drugs should provide a more effective treatment for people with AIDS.
The announcement boosted Zeria Pharmaceutical's stock price in Tokyo, ending the morning session at 1,120 yen, up 72 yen from the previous day.