Biology laboratory.
Williams stood proudly in front of a row of iron cages, looking at the six languid macaques inside, and showed a smile full of goodwill.
"Let me see which three little cuties will be luckier."
He touched his chin, pondered for a second, and quickly made a choice, choosing three at random.
"It's just you, and you and you."
Three macaques were randomly selected and assigned to the control group along with the remaining three.
These six macaques are all infected with SIV, which is simian immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as monkey AIDS.
Generally speaking, the HIV virus only infects humans, but some simian primates can be infected with HIV-like HIV, such as chimpanzees, rhesus monkeys, and macaques.
When SIV infects simians, the damage caused is similar to the symptoms seen in late-stage AIDS patients, so it is often used as an animal model for anti-AIDS drug research.
However, the common experimental animal, mice, cannot be infected with HIV. It is only suitable after genetically modified breeding, and the characteristics displayed are many different from the human HIV virus.
Therefore, when pharmaceutical companies develop anti-AIDS drugs, even if they are initially used on mice, they will still have to conduct experiments on monkeys in order to obtain more accurate test results.
Williams prepared six SIV-infected macaques early to conduct animal experiments to test his final results.
In the past few days, the news of the advent of the super viral vector spread throughout the laboratory like a virus.
And he also became the focal point of the laboratory and received the greatest support.
After seeing the dawn of HIV gene drugs, the entire team revolved around him.
All members are fully committed to this research.
Even Tang Que, after sending an apologetic "sorry" text message to Wen Renlong, impatiently took action himself.
In a short period of time, they designed a specific Arc1 gene-editing construct for SIV and then conducted cell culture experiments.
The results showed that the editing tool could cut the integrated monkey HIV DNA from the correct location in the host cell DNA.
They then loaded the construct into a super viral vector and made SIV gene drugs.
Today is the day that Williams will test the results of this SIV gene drug.
If the animal experiment is successful, it means that the HIV gene drug has been successfully developed and can enter the next step of clinical research.
Williams and two colleagues each selected a macaque and skillfully injected the SIV gene drug from the needle in their hand into the macaque's veins.
The injected macaques were placed in separate cages with another control macaque.
A few days later, Williams opened the cage, collected some blood and tissue from macaque No. 1, and took a closer look.
Under a microscope, it can be seen that gene editing drugs have been distributed to a wide range of tissues, including bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes and spleen, and have reached a very important virus reservoir, CD4 T cells.
These infected cells and tissues, known as viral reservoirs for SIV and HIV, are the cells and tissues where the virus integrates into the host's DNA and hides for years, posing a major obstacle to curing the infection.
SIV or HIV in these viral reservoirs is beyond the scope of existing drug treatments, which can only inhibit viral replication and clear the virus from the blood, but cannot clear the viral genome in the reservoir.
…
Once you stop taking the medicine, the virus emerges from its reservoir and replicates again.
Now, every virus library contains gene-editing drugs.
Williams was immediately overjoyed, which proved the efficiency and accuracy of the super-delivery virus.
Next, in-depth genetic analysis demonstrated that the SIV genome had been efficiently cleaved from these infected cells.
As for lysis efficiency, it varies from tissue to tissue, with viscera being a little lower than blood and bone marrow.
But in the lymph nodes, apparently very high levels were reached.
"Awesome, we did it!" Williams laughed ecstatically again.
The cheers of other colleagues instantly echoed throughout the laboratory.
Tang Que was also on the side, looking at the tissue cells under the microscope, and smiled happily.
Soon, he walked up to Williams and led the applause.
"Venus, thank you for your hard work and bringing us such a magical virus vector."
"We have demonstrated for the first time that a single injection of a genetic drug can cleave the SIV genome from infected cells in macaques."
"This is an important breakthrough in HIV research and an important milestone in the history of mankind's fight against the disease."
He clenched his fists, raised them high, and shouted loudly.
"With SIV gene drugs, can HIV gene drugs be far behind?"
"This moment to change the world is right before our eyes!"
"Then it's up to you."
Everyone was moved to tears and clapped wildly.
Over the past year, everyone has been working day and night, and the hardships cannot be appreciated by outsiders.
Now, all their hard work and dedication have paid off handsomely!
Seeing that their work can truly change the world, everyone feels a strong sense of pride and pride.
This is probably the unique charm of scientific research!
****
Two weeks later, experiments on human cells began in the same place.
Williams and several colleagues carefully took out 10 bright red test tubes from the freezer, which contained blood samples taken from AIDS patients.
They used a pipette to inject the successfully developed HIV gene drug into the test tube and let it sit for several hours.
Genetic drugs will work during this time to cut out the HIV virus genome in the blood sample.
They then isolated the memory T cells from the blood, put them into separate containers, and mixed them with cells from uninfected people.
This is a common HIV virus measurement technology with relatively high sensitivity.
HIV remains dormant in the DNA strands of memory T cells, perfectly able to avoid drug cocktails and reactivate later to begin damaging the immune system.
If these added healthy T cells become infected, the virus can multiply and be released, be detected, and the color of the test tube will turn blue.
Using this method, you can easily lure the snake out of its hole, reactivate dormant viruses, and identify them.
In this way, we can know how effective HIV genetic drugs are and whether they can completely eliminate the last hiding place of HIV and eradicate it.
Several people put the containers back into the freezer and waited for the final results.
…
Facing HIV, which is as cunning as a ghost, they feel a little uneasy and not absolutely sure.
Although every means has been used to hunt down and improve the efficiency of gene shearing in various tissue cells, there is no guarantee of 100% success.
Maybe there will be some fish that slip through the net, hiding deep in the cells, waiting for opportunities to be resurrected.
As long as there is a slight chance, it will resurrect and come back.
The entanglement between HIV and the human body is far more complicated than people imagine.
If the test tube really turns blue, it means that the genetic medicine needs further improvement and they will launch a new round of improvements.
Siluke.
As time passed, that touch of blue never appeared in the container.
A week later, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and their worries were completely relieved.
After checking again, no HIV virus was found in the container.
This means that the HIV genome has been completely eliminated from the blood of the infected person.
The door is open to genetic drugs to treat AIDS.
The word cure can finally be used for AIDS patients.
The next step is clinical trials, as long as the patient receives treatment and stops using the drug for a period of time, HIV is still undetectable.
Then, the 'cure' miracles of Patient Berlin and Patient Twist will be repeated and can be replicated.
In the fierce battle against HIV for nearly half a century, in the face of the stubborn resistance to HIV, mankind has a magic weapon that can make the final decision and win the final victory.
****
"Boss, the HIV gene drug has been successfully developed!"
Tang Que happily ran over to announce the good news, followed by Wen Renlong who came after hearing the news.
Hearing such good news, Wei Kang couldn't help but cheer up: "What? That's great! I knew I could always trust you."
Tang Que reported the research and development progress one by one and expressed great appreciation for Williams in his words.
"The animal experiments and human cell experiments were both successful, and we can now enter clinical practice."
"This time I want to praise Williams. He is so talented in viruses and his experimental level is very high. I can't match many of his fantastic ideas. His super delivery virus is really a genius idea and design. , worthy of focused cultivation.”
Wen Renlong suddenly interjected with a look of disdain: "Can the people of Eagle Country be trusted? I don't think so."
Tang Que frowned and said: "So what, we are a multinational enterprise, not a government agency. Which multinational pharmaceutical company does not have talents from many countries? The fact that we can attract such experts shows the attractiveness of Sanqing."
Wen Renlong snorted coldly and stopped talking.
Wei Kang said with a smile: "Don't be suspicious of people you employ, and don't use people who are suspicious. However, Aaron's concerns are reasonable. Don't worry, as long as the information system is secure enough, you won't be afraid of anyone with ulterior motives."
Tang Duo nodded: "The boss is still very generous."
He asked hesitantly: "Mr.
"I don't know what the next plan is? Is it clinical as soon as possible?"
Wei Kang said matter-of-factly: "Of course, this is a breakthrough drug and can be fast-tracked like Duanailing. Anyway, just one injection and the patient will be fine. The main focus is on the observation period after stopping the drug. "
…
"The observation period should be at least two months. If there is still no trace of HIV virus in the patient's body after stopping the drug for 60 days, it means that the drug should be considered a success."
"Of course, the long-term effects of viral vectors in the human body are also unknown factors. We don't know whether they will cause adverse reactions. These are very important."
"This..." Tang Que hesitated for a long time and finally asked the question that had been bothering him for a long time and made people feel like they were stuck in their throats.
"Boss, Duan Ailin has not been on the market for a long time. Are you going to launch a genetic drug so soon?"
"If patients are cured using genetic drugs, the market for anti-AIDS drugs will shrink quickly in the future."
"This will do great harm to the company's interests. Is it really okay?"
Wei Kang looked at him in surprise for a while, then suddenly laughed.
"Why, is this the image I have in your mind?"
"Hasn't Sanqing always given top priority to treating illnesses and saving people?"
"Tang Que, you are going to make me sad when you ask me this. Do you think I am a person who puts interests first?"
Wen Renlong snorted from the side.
"Old Tang, you have been working for so long, why do you still not understand the boss?"
He suddenly patted his head as if enlightened and said, "Oh, by the way, I recruited you. I didn't have a long one-on-one conversation with the boss and a collision of values. No wonder you have this idea."
“For people like me who value the harmony of three views, the fusion of souls, and the congeniality of like-mindedness, I would have had in-depth discussions with my boss early on and figured out each other’s temperaments, so I wouldn’t have such thoughts. hehe."
Tang Que looked at him expressionlessly: "Aaron, actually I am doing this for your own good. If you don't develop a new drug as soon as possible, your dividends will be gone next year."
"Ah?" Wen Renlong was stunned: "What does it have to do with me?"
He reacted instantly, and his face suddenly fell.
"Fuck, no, are you deliberately going against me? I finally have a billion-dollar new drug, but I haven't received the dividends yet, so it's just useless? It's easy for me."
Wei Kang quickly waved his hand, interrupting the conversation between the two.
"Okay, I've planned this for a long time. The sales of Duan Ai Ling are very good this year, Aaron, you don't have to worry about next year's dividends. As for the future, it won't be any worse, so don't worry at all."
He thought for a moment and already made a decision.
"HIV gene drugs are still going according to the original plan and will be put into clinical trials as soon as possible. They are expected to be launched next year. There is no doubt about this."
"I believe that the market demand for this new drug will be huge, and it will definitely sell out when it is launched. It just so happens that the West is now implementing the AIDS End Plan, and they are all holding money to buy it. There is no problem in selling it for tens of billions of dollars a year."
He looked at Tang Que and said meaningfully.
"Maybe I have been selling medicines at high prices overseas, which makes you think that I am a person who pays attention to interests, but this is understandable. I do treat domestic and foreign countries differently. No one can change this. Sanqing is now and will be in the future. , put the interests of the Chinese people first, and then consider overseas customers secondly."
"I will continue to consider supplying HIV gene drugs to China first. After AIDS is completely eradicated, we will move to the second-tier rich countries and let them pay for domestic patients."
…
"As for the remaining countries, whether they can eliminate AIDS depends on whether their wallets are thick enough."
"Ending AIDS is a long-term plan, and it is absolutely impossible to achieve it in the short term. The slogan of the Football League is to eliminate AIDS by 2030. I think this is very good."
"First give HIV gene drugs to those who are capable, let some people be cured first, and then guide the people behind to slowly achieve the goal of all mankind."
"Don't worry, during this period, major pharmaceutical companies will definitely greatly reduce the prices of cocktail treatment drugs, which can also be considered as indirectly helping those poor patients."
"The global anti-AIDS drug market will die sooner or later. Some people will be more anxious than you about this, haha."
Tang Que was stunned for a moment and seemed to have figured it out a lot. He nodded slowly and said, "I understand. I will never ask such questions again in the future."
Wenrenlong is still immersed in the grief of unsustainable dividends and laments endlessly.
"Hey, time is also destiny. As expected, I, Aaron, am destined to have no windfall."
Tang Que couldn't stand it anymore and sneered: "How can you have no money if you don't spend enough time on women?"
Wei Kang looked at the two people glaring at each other and couldn't help but shake his head. Just as he was about to speak, his cell phone rang on the table.
The two immediately excused themselves and left the office.
After the call was connected, Director Han's beaming voice rang.
"Mr. Wei, this HIV elimination plan is so successful, thanks to you."
"Thank you. It's mainly because of your strong action. Otherwise, the medicine alone wouldn't have achieved such great results."
Wei Kang chuckled: "By the way, I'm about to tell you some good news."
"Oh? Please tell me, I'm all ears."
"I think the HIV elimination plan can be upgraded to 2.0."
"how do I say this?"
Wei Kang said slowly: "Because Sanqing has developed a genetic drug that can cure AIDS. As long as one injection is given, future troubles will be eliminated forever, and there is no need to continue taking medicine."
I can extract side effects
