Early trial for VX-950, a treatment for the hepatitis C virus

[Guest guest]

http://www.forbes.com/technology/sciences/feeds/ap/2004/09/07/ap1532638.html

Associated Press

Vertex: Good Results for VX-950 Dosing

09.07.2004, 02:14 PM

Biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that it

completed the dosing portion of an early trial for VX-950, a treatment for

the hepatitis C virus, without finding any negative side effects associated

with larger doses.

The phase Ia study was designed to test the safety, tolerability and

absorption of the medication in 35 healthy subjects. Vertex said it plans to

begin a study using patients infected with the virus by the end of the year.

VX-950 is an oral protease inhibitor, which means it blocks an enzyme that

viruses use to replicate. Vertex said it offered the drug in doses ranging

from 25 mg to 1250 mg and no dose-limiting toxicities were identified. The

company said it also did not reach a maximum tolerated dose.

Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver, which can ultimately cause the

organ to fail. About 3.9 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the

population, have been infected with the virus, according to the Centers for

Disease Control.

In June, Vertex and Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Pharma Corp. signed a deal to

develop and market VX-950 in Japan and other Far East countries. Vertex owns

development and commercialization rights to the product in the rest of the

world.

[Guest guest]

http://www.forbes.com/technology/sciences/feeds/ap/2004/09/07/ap1532638.html

Associated Press

Vertex: Good Results for VX-950 Dosing

09.07.2004, 02:14 PM

Biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that it

completed the dosing portion of an early trial for VX-950, a treatment for

the hepatitis C virus, without finding any negative side effects associated

with larger doses.

The phase Ia study was designed to test the safety, tolerability and

absorption of the medication in 35 healthy subjects. Vertex said it plans to

begin a study using patients infected with the virus by the end of the year.

VX-950 is an oral protease inhibitor, which means it blocks an enzyme that

viruses use to replicate. Vertex said it offered the drug in doses ranging

from 25 mg to 1250 mg and no dose-limiting toxicities were identified. The

company said it also did not reach a maximum tolerated dose.

Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver, which can ultimately cause the

organ to fail. About 3.9 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the

population, have been infected with the virus, according to the Centers for

Disease Control.

In June, Vertex and Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Pharma Corp. signed a deal to

develop and market VX-950 in Japan and other Far East countries. Vertex owns

development and commercialization rights to the product in the rest of the

world.

[Guest guest]

http://www.forbes.com/technology/sciences/feeds/ap/2004/09/07/ap1532638.html

Associated Press

Vertex: Good Results for VX-950 Dosing

09.07.2004, 02:14 PM

Biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that it

completed the dosing portion of an early trial for VX-950, a treatment for

the hepatitis C virus, without finding any negative side effects associated

with larger doses.

The phase Ia study was designed to test the safety, tolerability and

absorption of the medication in 35 healthy subjects. Vertex said it plans to

begin a study using patients infected with the virus by the end of the year.

VX-950 is an oral protease inhibitor, which means it blocks an enzyme that

viruses use to replicate. Vertex said it offered the drug in doses ranging

from 25 mg to 1250 mg and no dose-limiting toxicities were identified. The

company said it also did not reach a maximum tolerated dose.

Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver, which can ultimately cause the

organ to fail. About 3.9 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the

population, have been infected with the virus, according to the Centers for

Disease Control.

In June, Vertex and Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Pharma Corp. signed a deal to

develop and market VX-950 in Japan and other Far East countries. Vertex owns

development and commercialization rights to the product in the rest of the

world.

[Guest guest]

http://www.forbes.com/technology/sciences/feeds/ap/2004/09/07/ap1532638.html

Associated Press

Vertex: Good Results for VX-950 Dosing

09.07.2004, 02:14 PM

Biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that it

completed the dosing portion of an early trial for VX-950, a treatment for

the hepatitis C virus, without finding any negative side effects associated

with larger doses.

The phase Ia study was designed to test the safety, tolerability and

absorption of the medication in 35 healthy subjects. Vertex said it plans to

begin a study using patients infected with the virus by the end of the year.

VX-950 is an oral protease inhibitor, which means it blocks an enzyme that

viruses use to replicate. Vertex said it offered the drug in doses ranging

from 25 mg to 1250 mg and no dose-limiting toxicities were identified. The

company said it also did not reach a maximum tolerated dose.

Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver, which can ultimately cause the

organ to fail. About 3.9 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the

population, have been infected with the virus, according to the Centers for

Disease Control.

In June, Vertex and Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Pharma Corp. signed a deal to

develop and market VX-950 in Japan and other Far East countries. Vertex owns

development and commercialization rights to the product in the rest of the

world.