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CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

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Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#71

Post by joshstrange »

ShannonAlther wrote: post #10

It's awesome that this is possible. Right now HIV infections are basically a minor nuisance, provided you're taking the appropriate medication, but this bodes well for future treatment of viral infections.

Sure if you live in the developed world and have insurance that covers Truvada or have a plan with a deductible at or under ~$3K you can get PrEP for free (With the free copay card that covers $3600/yr). But I've got friends who have higher deductibles and can't cover the difference and the card is only good in the US:

> The Gilead Advancing Access® co-pay coupon card (“Card”) can be used only by eligible residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories at participating eligible retail, specialty, or mail-order pharmacies in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories. Product must originate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories. You must be 18 years or older to use the Card for yourself or a minor.

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#72

Post by charlieflowers »

dmix wrote: post #53
Animats wrote: post #32

Back in 2011, there was an announcement from MIT about a new approach to a broad-spectrum antiviral that appeared to work.[1] This goes way beyond an AIDS-specific cure. But it was at MIT Lincoln Labs, which doesn't usually do bio. So the researcher moved to Draper Labs, but didn't get much funding. Then that funding ran out. Now the guy behind this is trying to get funding on Indiegogo.[3] The problem seems to be th…

This is the type of innovation we exchange for a sense of absolute security in having highly-vetted decade-long bio R&D and extensive backlogs at the FDA for approvals to sell products on the market. It's go big or go home because the regulatory risk/timeline is so extensive. Most of these things die quietly or never get started so we never really see the true costs of what it takes to push the pharma world forward.…

Are there other nations which have less demanding requirements, but still decent vetting? Why can't these kinds of ideas go there?

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#73

Post by Mrtierne »

Animats wrote: post #32

Back in 2011, there was an announcement from MIT about a new approach to a broad-spectrum antiviral that appeared to work.[1] This goes way beyond an AIDS-specific cure. But it was at MIT Lincoln Labs, which doesn't usually do bio. So the researcher moved to Draper Labs, but didn't get much funding. Then that funding ran out. Now the guy behind this is trying to get funding on Indiegogo.[3] The problem seems to be th…

Agreed ... it seems insane this guy has not received all the funding he needs. Very curious if there's something more here that has spooked investors.

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#74

Post by DigitalJack »

rosalinekarr wrote: post #23

For anyone unfamiliar with CRISPR, I strongly recommend this quick introduction video from Kurzgesagt on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhjPd4uNFY

There is a great radiolab podcast on it as well. http://www.radiolab.org/story/update-crispr/

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#75

Post by bdamm »

charlieflowers wrote: post #72
dmix wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the type of innovation we exchange for a sense of absolute security in having highly-vetted decade-long bio R&D and extensive backlogs at the FDA for approvals to sell products on the market. It's go big or go home because the regulatory risk/timeline is so extensive. Most of these things die quietly or never get started so we never really see the true costs of what it takes to push the pharma world forward.…

Are there other nations which have less demanding requirements, but still decent vetting? Why can't these kinds of ideas go there?

My scientist friends tell me China is paying well, making funding available, and has a lower go-to-market burden. Innovation appears to be literally moving to China as talent is being drained away from the US & Europe.

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#76

Post by DigitalJack »

sluukkonen wrote: post #28
dgritsko wrote: post #20

If (like me) you don't have a good working understanding of CRISPR, check out this fantastic episode of Radiolab: http://www.radiolab.org/story/antibodies-part-1-crispr/

There's also an updated version of the episode that they aired this year. http://www.radiolab.org/story/update-crispr/

Just to add some info: The update recaps the original, and talks about advances over the year or two since the first one.

It's a great podcast episode.

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#78

Post by BubbasDad »

In 2013 a very highly-placed Goldman Sachs exec, a friend of a friend, told me his AMFAR contacts predicted a 'genetics-based cure' in a 3-4 years instead of the 10 years they publicly projected. The rationale was donations would stop if people knew how close they were to a cure.

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#79

Post by [deleted] »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #66
Animats wrote: post #32

Back in 2011, there was an announcement from MIT about a new approach to a broad-spectrum antiviral that appeared to work.[1] This goes way beyond an AIDS-specific cure. But it was at MIT Lincoln Labs, which doesn't usually do bio. So the researcher moved to Draper Labs, but didn't get much funding. Then that funding ran out. Now the guy behind this is trying to get funding on Indiegogo.[3] The problem seems to be th…

Given billionaires running their own space programs it makes me wonder why there aren't more billionaires running biologic research companies. Between life extension and immunity to (or protection from) really pathological conditions it seems like their interests would be aligned with folks like this.

[deleted]

Re: CRISPR eliminates HIV-1 infection in live animals

#80

Post by lend000 »

barrkel wrote: post #68
lend000 wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> sense of absolute security Well said -- the keyword is "sense" of security.

There's also the small matter of profiting from desperation with unproven remedies that do unknown, possibly permanent damage. There are good reasons and historical precedent for strong medicine safety regulations; it's not just bureaucracy.

Preventing fraud is one thing. Holding fraudsters responsible is a thing. However, barring access outright to (properly labeled) experimental medicine is completely different, and that's what the FDA does (as well as enforce a bunch of monopolies).
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