Re: NATAP: QUAD-Panel Votes 13-1 To Recommend Approval--Cobicistat i

[Guest guest]

"Re GS-7340--the supposed advantage of this new tenofovir pro-drug is thatit will require a much smaller dose--which is an obvious advantage inco-formulating, and according to Gilead will reduce kidney toxicity.Though if it results in the same blood levels of TDF (tenofovir dixoproxilfumarate--the active compound) it's unclear why the kidney effects shouldbe any different. Again, the company refuses to elaborate--saying it's"still early days." The more important reason they're aggressivelypursuing GS-7340 is that their blockbuster Viread will go generic in 2017,so a replacement that's even easier to co-formulate with other drugs willhelp them retain their marketshare--and share price."Good points all.One thing that I hope we have all learned over the years is that with the luxury of choices we now enjoy, being "first in line" for a new drug is not always a good thing.The combination I'm on is positively "Pre-Cambrian," Norvir boosted with Invirase backbone, but it works (VL undetectable <20) and side effects are tolerable. While the new quad pill is tempting, and I'd like to stop tithing to Abbott, I'll let someone else do the test flights, and would recommend the same strategy to anyone else who has other options.JB