Yes, if the Sangamo approach worked, we could have a functional cure, but that may be a long way off. You should scroll back a week or two and read my recent answer on cure.

The treatment was not approved by the FDA; the study was approved. Sangamo is working on a process that involves genetically altering CD4 cells so they’re lacking the CCR5 coreceptor, which is required for viral entry by all R5-tropic virus. The modified cells are then expanded and reinfused into the patient, using cyclophosphamide to cause temporary immunosuppression, allowing the modified cells to predominate over the unmodified cells. The idea is to render the patient’s CD4 cells uninfectable, mimicking the cured “Berlin Patient” without the need for a bone marrow transplant.

"According to Sangamo Biosciences SGMO +4.65% CEO Ed Lanphier, the biotech group’s gene-therapy technology could end up disrupting the broader pharmaceutical market by providing ‘cures’ for diseases caused by certain genetic malfunctions, thereby freeing patients of cumbersome and often expensive drug regimens.

The company’s lead product, a cellular therapy called SB-728, has already shown considerable promise in treating HIV/AIDS. Sangamo is currently running Phase II trials to see if it can help rebuild the immune systems of HIV and AIDS patients, which would conceivably allow them to go off their anti-viral drug regimens. The company plans to unveil preliminary Phase II data during the first half of 2013.