HONG KONG - A research team led by scientists of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) announced Thursday the invention of a universal antibody drug against HIV/AIDS that can "kill two birds with one stone."By engineering a tandem bi-specific broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb), the team found that this novel antibody drug is universally effective not only against all genetically divergent global HIV-1 strains tested, but also promoting the elimination of latently infected cells in a humanized mouse model, the team announced at a press conference.The single gene-encoded tandem bNAb titled "BiIA-SG" strategically ambushes invading HIV-1 particles to protect CD4 positive T cells by attaching to host protein CD4. BiIA-SG not only displays a potent activity against all three panels of 124 genetically divergent global HIV-1 strains tested, but also prevents diverse live viral challenges completely in humanized mice.Moreover, gene transfer of BiIA-SG achieves pro-longed drug availability in vivo, leading to a promising efficacy of eliminating HIV-1 infected cells in humanized mice.With significantly improved breadth and potency, BiIA-SG will hopefully be the first "made in Hong Kong" anti-HIV-1 antibody drug for clinical development, the team said.The research team was led by scientists at AIDS Institute and Department of Microbiology of HKU's Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. The new findings were published in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation, one of the world's leading biomedical journals. white rubber bracelet meaningdebossed silicone braceletscustom wristbands canadacolorfilled wristbandswarfarin silicone bracelet
BEIJING - China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Tuesday noted that China's reform and opening-up is a significant driving force for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks while meeting a business delegation from Taiwan's Federation of Industries.As this year marks the 40th anniversary of opening-up, the Chinese mainland has put forward a series of new measures under the reform policy, he said, believing that the measures will further improve development conditions and sense of fulfillment of different market entities including Taiwanese enterprises. He added that Taiwan compatriots will also enjoy better development prospects on the mainland.Speaking highly of the federation's contributions to cross-Straits economic cooperation and the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, Wang noted that national reunification and rejuvenation is the common expectation of all people of the Chinese nation.Compatriots across the strait should be in line with the historical trend, shoulder the causes of the nation together, resolutely oppose and deter any plot or act of 'Taiwan independence', and push forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the process toward the peaceful reunification of China with action, Wang said.
