Re: 8 Promising Hepatitis C Drugs

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From: scarletpaolicchi <scarletsinger@...>Subject: [ ] 8 Promising Hepatitis C Drugs Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 4:16 PM

8 Promising Hepatitis C DrugsLearn about the eight drug strategies that offer great promise for anew and improved Hepatitis C treatment regimen.by Cutler, L.Ac.Currently, pegylated interferon and ribavirin are the standard oftreatment for Hepatitis C. Because these medications only boast anapproximate success rate of 50 percent, the pharmaceutical companiesare racing to come up with more efficient alternatives.Even though reports of successful Hepatitis C trials appear to dot thenews reels each week, there are a series of hurdles a potential newdrug must pass before it is can enter the market. Subsequently, thereare just a handful of Hepatitis C drugs that have made it past initialscreening processes and are churning out encouraging safety andefficacy data.Although the listed drugs in development are by no means the onlycontenders, the following are some of the

most promising as ofFebruary 2009:1. Albuferon – Human Genome Sciences and Novartis are studyingalbuferon, a longer acting form of interferon alfa-2b fused with thehuman blood protein albumin. While albuferon is in ongoing Phase IIIclinical trials evaluating safety, tolerability and effectivenesscompared to Pegasys, pulmonary complications have required researcherslower the albuferon dosage.2. R7128 – In a collaborative effort to develop nucleoside polymeraseinhibitors for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C, R7128 is beingdeveloped by Pharmasset and Roche. In January 2009, the manufacturersannounced launching a large Phase 2b study of varying doses of R7128,in combination with Pegasys and ribavirin. Primary data from the newstudy is expected to be released late in 2009.3. ITMN-191 – In January of 2009, InterMune reported on the resultsfrom a small Phase I study of protease

inhibitor ITMN-191 incombination with Pegasys and ribavirin. While the results from thistrial were encouraging, a Phase 2b study of ITMN -191 at variousdoses, at different intervals with different durations is expected tobegin in the second quarter of 2009. Note: ITMN-191 was formerly knownas R7227.4. INFORM-1 – R7128 and ITMN-191, together with ribavirin, are beingtested as the first interferon-free combination therapy. Expected tobe compiled, analyzed and released in 2009, INFORM-1's results willyield great understanding into the effectiveness of these polymeraseand protease inhibitors as well us divulge any synergistic effectsfrom combining these antiviral compounds.5. IDX184 – In January of 2009, Idenix Pharmaceuticals announcedinitiating a small Phase II/III proof-of-concept study of IDX184, aHepatitis C nucleotide polymerase inhibitor. This will be a small,double-blinded,

placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study to evaluatethe safety, tolerability and antiviral activity of IDX184 in HCVgenotype 1 treatment-naï ve patients.6. Telaprevir – Vertex Pharmaceuticals has several Phase III trialsunderway to determine safety, tolerability, antiviral activity anddosing guidelines for telaprevir. In 2008, telaprevir demonstratedpromising antiviral results in large Phase 2b studies oftreatment-naï ve and treatment-failure patients, and also demonstratedthe potential to be dosed in a twice-daily regimen.7. Boceprevir – In January 2009, Schering-Plough reported completingpatient enrollment in the boceprevir HCV SPRINT-2 study, a pivotalPhase III study in treatment-naï ve patients. Together with a previousPhase III study in patients who failed prior treatment, over 1,500patients are enrolled in Schering-Plough' s lead investigational oralHepatitis C protease

inhibitor.8. PEG-Interferon Lambda – Bristol-Myers Squibb and ZymoGenetics areco-developing this longer acting form of interferon. Currently inPhase I studies, early data generated by PEG-Interferon lambda suggestthe drug might be safer and better tolerated than the currentlong-acting interferons.The preceding eight drugs (or drug combinations) are among the mosthopeful for improving Hepatitis C treatment. However, this list is notexhaustive, as there are many more substances that scientists arecurrently examining. Until the FDA concludes that one of these drugsis superior to pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the treatment ofHepatitis C, we'll have to sit patiently and wait for the nextgeneration of Hepatitis C medications to be approved.taken from:http://www.hepatiti s-central. com/mt/archives/ 2009/02/8_ promising_ hep.html? eml=hepcen73