(17th October 2002, Kunming, China) Yunnan Provincial Health Bureau in Kunming, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Centre (ADARC) and GlaxoSmithKline today announced a collaboration to undertake the largest HIV clinical study in China to date.

This clinical study will serve as a pilot programme to provide access to triple combination antiretroviral therapy in Yunnan province, which has been seriously affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The study hopes to answer critical questions about the feasibility of treating large numbers of HIV positive individuals in China. It will assess the convenience and tolerability of treatment for patients, as well as looking at adherence and practicability in the community from the perspective of healthcare providers.

The study will be conducted by a team of healthcare professionals from the ADARC in conjunction with China Academy of Medical Science and the Yunnan Provincial Centre for Diseases Prevention & Control.

“We have worked closely along with our Chinese counterparts to develop a treatment program that not only provides drugs, but also invests in the local healthcare infrastructure,” said Dr. David Ho, executive director of ADARC. “In this way, our work in Yunnan can have a lasting positive impact on the lives of those in the community.”

GlaxoSmithKline will contribute the Trizivirâ tablets necessary for the three years’ study. Trizivirâ is a novel fixed-dose antiretroviral combination tablet developed by GlaxoSmithKline offering three in one potency and simplicity to improve adherence. As part of the collaborative efforts, GlaxoSmithKline will contribute the Trizivirâ tablets necessary for the three years’ study.

The study is strongly supported by the Yunnan Provincial Government. With clear recognition of the rapidly increasing HIV infection in China, Chinese Government has initiated various efforts to improve treatment access.