FESTINAVIR® is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the essential enzyme for viral replication. FESTINAVIR® was invented by a group of Japanese researchers in Kagoshima University and Showa University, in collaboration with Yale University. Oncolys BioPharma in-licensed this novel NRTI from Yale University with worldwide rights for development, manufacturing and commercialization in 2006.

FESTINAVIR® has shown to be effective against various viruses having key resistant and mutations. Studies to date, also have indicated that FESTINAVIR® has a promising safety profile not only in preclinical but also clinical phase Ia and Ib/IIa studies.

In December 2010, Oncolys BioPharma successfully concluded an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with one of the major pharmaceutical company, Bristol-Myers Squibb in the US. BMS is one of the leading HIV companies in the world.