Arrow Therapeutics selects

February 6, 2006

Hepatitis C clinical candidate

London, 6th February 06, Arrow Therapeutics, the London based

antiviral drug discovery and development company, has announced that

its lead Hepatitis C compound has entered full preclinical

development.

Originating from Arrow's focused chemical library and optimised in-

house, the compound (A-831) has shown potent activity in the replicon

assay and has an excellent therapeutic index and good pharmacokinetic

properties, as well as displaying a novel mechanism of action

targeting the NS5a protein. Phase I trials on the compound are

planned for the second half of 2006, by which time a further compound

from Arrow's second Hepatitis C programme (also targeting the NS5a

protein) is expected to enter preclinical development.

The urgent need for novel Hepatitis C inhibitors has been well

documented, with an estimated 170 million sufferers worldwide. The

current treatment (Pegylated Interferon + ribavirin) has a poor side

effect profile, is very expensive and is only effective in around 50%

of patients. As with HIV/AIDS, multiple drugs in combination therapy

are likely to be needed to overcome drug resistance. The value of the

Hepatitis C market was approximately $3 billion in 2004 and is

forecast to grow substantially, to greater than $6 billion in the

next 5-7 years.

Arrow's CEO, Ken , speaks of his delight at the advancements

made within the programme, â€œWe have been working hard on our

Hepatitis C programmes since the foundation of the company. Arrow's

compounds have a novel mechanism and show potent activity in the

replicon assay - now well validated as a predictor of clinical

activity through the work of Vertex and others. We regard NS5a as an

excellent target, and these inhibitors should find an important place

as constituents of combination regimens. The entry of the first

programme into full preclinical development is an exciting step in

the development of a novel therapyâ€.

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