CCR5's T cell revival

Chemokine receptor 5 became a hot HIV target in the mid-1990s after researchers traced a few cases of viral resistance to a rare point mutation that prevented functional expression of the receptor. While some drug developers have wrestled with small molecule CCR5 inhibitors that could be added to the antiretroviral cocktail, Sangamo BioSciences Inc. has taken a different approach that it thinks could eliminate pills from the equation entirely.

Last week, the biotech unveiled the first human safety data for its SB-728-T, providing hints that its approach is working as expected. The autologous cell therapy is designed to replace damaged or destroyed CD4+ T cells with ones resistant to HIV infection...