China approves HIV drug for COVID patients
Azvudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that acts against HIV, HBV (Hepatitis B virus), and HCV (Hepatitis C virus). NRTIs are one of six classes of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Antiretroviral drugs interfere with the ability of a virus to multiply or reproduce. To treat HIV, NRTIs work by blocking an enzyme HIV needs to make copies of itself. Normally, HIV enters certain cells in the body that are part of the immune system. These cells are called CD4 cells, or T cells. After HIV enters the CD4 cells, the virus begins to copy itself. To do so, it needs to copy its RNA (RiboNucleic Acid) — the virus’s genetic makeup — into DNA (DeoxyRiboNucleic Acid). This process is called reverse transcription and requires an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. NRTIs prevent the virus’s reverse transcriptase from accurately copying its RNA into DNA. Without DNA, HIV can’t make copies of itself. China approves Genuine Biotech's HIV ...