OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 30, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is one video and two photos associated with this press release.

Tiko Kerr doesn't look sick. He's a healthy and active man who rows four times a week. He defies anyone's image of a man who has lived with HIV for almost 30 years.

Tiko was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 while living in Australia; he took it as a death sentence. If the virus didn't kill him, the medication available at that time might. Little was known about HIV when Tiko was diagnosed, medications where only just being researched and the stigma and fear associated with HIV/AIDS where overwhelming.

"In those days there were not a lot of medication options, people were dying," said Tiko.

Returning to Canada and settling in Vancouver to focus on his artwork, Tiko struggled to keep his disease in check. Over the next 20 years he would take every new medicine developed. As the virus gained strength, Tiko became resistant to one medication after another, barely keeping Tiko alive.

"By 2005 I was taking every drug available," said Tiko. "I was in an advanced stage and I soon became completely drug resistant."

Tiko learned of a new treatment option but the medicine wasn't yet available in Canada. Tiko, his doctor and a group of individuals with HIV banded together and became advocates to gain access to the new treatment. But time was of the essence. Tiko's viral load, a measurement of the amount of virus in the body, was 700 thousand. Others were dying with a viral load of 500 thousand.

"I didn't have much time," said Tiko. "One man in our group had passed away and I knew I was dying. I needed to take more action."

Tiko gathered significant public support and finally, in 2006, was granted access through a small clinical trial to the latest treatment. The changes were immediate and they were staggering. Within 5 days of treatment, Tiko's viral load was reduced by 90%. Within a month, the HIV virus was no longer detectable in his body.

"I became totally invigorated and I was no longer depressed," said Tiko. "I'm healthier now than I've ever been. Most people my age are slowing down and I'm just getting started."

With a new lease on life, Tiko's focus on his visual artistry is unrelenting and his ideas are endless. He still has to take medication every day and there are psychological effects of the disease to deal with but the opportunity this new therapy has given is unmistakable.

"I went from taking 80-90 pills a day to 10 in the morning and 10 at night and that's ok. I've never been healthier or stronger."

About Rx&D

Rx&D is the association of leading research-based pharmaceutical companies dedicated to improving the health of Canadians through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines. Our community represents the men and women working for more than 50 member companies and invests more than $1 billion in research and development each year to fuel Canada's knowledge-based economy. Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, our membership is committed to working in partnership with governments, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.

To view the video associated with this press release, please visit the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdYIAFviiUw

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20121129-Tiko_Kerr_headshot_800.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20121129-Tiko_Kerr_standing_800.jpg