Visbiome is a medical food which is currently the subject of two ongoing, publically sponsored, clinical trials, in the United States and Canada, evaluating the safety, tolerability, and effect of Visbiome on the gut microbiome and immune activation markers in people living with HIV who are currently on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART).

World AIDS Day, the first ever global health day, was originally designated by the World Health Organization and recognized by the United Nations on December 1st in 1988. Each year on World AIDS Day, people around the planet promote HIV awareness and education, remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and support those currently living with HIV, through the organization and participation of events, rallies, vigils, educational events, and other gatherings in recognition of the day.

Since its discovery in 1981, AIDS-related illnesses have claimed the lives of 35 million people worldwide. Currently there are 36.7 million people living with HIV globally and 1.2 million residing in the United States. Approximately 2.1 million people were diagnosed with HIV in 2015.

A growing body of data has established a correlation between dysbiosis, a state of imbalance of the gut microbiome, and the pathogenesis of HIV. Visbiome has shown promise as a therapeutic approach to addressing dysbiosis associated with HIV infection and the resulting inflammation. This consistent state of inflammation, which is common in people living with HIV, is believed to contribute to non-AIDS-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, and some cancers. A report in the October issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found Visbiome decreased inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is associated with neurocognitive disorders in HIV-positive people.

“World AIDS Day 2016 is significant for efforts to end HIV as a global health threat by 2030” said Dr. Gary Blick M.D., AAHIVS., co-founder of the CIRCLE CARE HIV treatment center in Norwalk, CT and founder of BEAT AIDS Project Zimbabwe. Dr. Blick continued, “To achieve this lofty goal, we need to accomplish the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Initiative, that is, by 2020, we must get 90% of people HIV tested and aware of their status, start 90% of those HIV-positive on HIV medications, and fully suppress HIV in 90% of those on medication. Full HIV suppression prevents HIV transmission. One serious barrier to achieving full HIV suppression globally is that HIV diarrhea and enteropathy is found in up to 60% of people living with HIV (PLWHIV), which results in poor absorption of HIV medications. Thankfully, ExeGi recognizes the need to rebalance the gastrointestinal tract of people with HIV, and their probiotic, Visbiome, has shown early benefit in not only improving HIV diarrhea, but also reducing chronic HIV inflammation in the gut and the brain. Since 60% of PLWHIV also experience some degree of neurocognitive dysfunction, Visbiome holds promise to reduce this devastating HIV complication.”

About Visbiome™
Visbiome™ is a high potency probiotic medical food consisting of eight strains of live, freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria.  Visbiome is specially formulated for the dietary management of dysbiosis associated with IBS, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. Visbiome is a non-drug therapy that addresses distinct nutritional requirements, to promote microbial balance, in people with IBS, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, and hepatic encephalopathy that cannot be addressed by modification of the diet alone. Visbiome is currently the subject of eight clinical trials, as a medical food, in several new disease states including HIV, autism spectrum disorders, and liver cirrhosis. Visbiome is intended to be used under the supervision of a physician.

About ExeGi Pharma
ExeGi Pharma, LLC is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of live biotherapeutic and probiotic medicines. ExeGi’s team leverages the growing advances in the field of microbiome science to deliver novel, clinically supported live biotherapeutic and probiotic treatments for a wide variety of unmet medical needs.


Additional Contact Information:
ExeGi Customer Service
info@exegipharma.com

HIV Community Liaison
Jeannie Wraight
jeanniewraight68@gmail.com

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