French biotechnology company Abivax has signed a contract with API manufacturer PCAS group for the production and supply of ABX464, a drug candidate for treating HIV. Under the deal, PCAS will synthesize and manufacture the compound, ensuring its availability to complete Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials scheduled for 2016 and following years. PCAS already began making ABX464 in March of this year.

The partners expect to extend the collaboration further for commercial supply once the clinical program has finished and the required authorizations have been granted. CEO of Abivax, Hartmut Ehrlich, said the agreement with PCAS ensures a reliable supply source of raw materials for the medium- and long-term that would enable it to carry out its clinical trials and register the drug in Europe, the US and other geographies.

According to Vincent Touraille, CEO of PCAS, ABX464 could provide a great therapeutic solution for HIV, which remains a major global concern. The compound, a first-in-class antiviral, is a small molecule that blocks HIV replication through a novel mechanism – the inhibition of Rev activity. Abivax said preclinical data in humanized mice demonstrated that ABX464 monotherapy had an antiviral effect that was sustained following interruption of treatment.

Abivax also has another compound in clinical state research, ABX203, a potential cure for chronic Hepatitis B recently approved in Cuba and currently in late-stage clinical development in other countries. The company said it is also advancing additional antiviral compounds and therapeutic vaccines that may enter the clinical stage in the coming 18 months.