I actually like your thinking of possible functional control treatments. I like the idea that CCR5 modification is even a platform. Non responders to HAART might also be your worst candidates to 728-T though so achieving functional control for people in this group may be difficult. On the flip side if we could still improve the condition of people in this class, then the bar for us to have a makretable drug is lower since there are few other options. Other classes of people who can't necessarily take HAART may exist as well per your comments.
I guess functional control of HIV would be something or at least a stepping stone towards a partnership. I'm disappointed that the 1401 trials have infusions of only 13.3 and 20 billion at the start. However I don't even know what the best dosage levels were on 1101 cohort 3 so you have to hope that SGMO went for what they thought was best for chance of success and not that they were limited in regards to what was allowed to take place in the trial.
Allin