ZymoGenetics Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of PEG-Interferon lambda

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ZymoGenetics Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of PEG-Interferon lambda in

Hepatitis C with Bristol-Myers Squibb

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:00am EDT

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS101995+27-Oct-2009+BW20091027

PEG-Interferon lambda is a Targeted Type 3 interferon in development for

Hepatitis C

SEATTLE--(Business Wire)--

ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN) today announced the initiation of a Phase 2

clinical trial of PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) and ribavirin in treatment-naïve

patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (the " EMERGE " study).

The first patient has been dosed in the study, triggering a $70 million

milestone payment to ZymoGenetics from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY),

pursuant to the terms of a previously announced collaboration agreement.

" In the Phase 1b clinical trial, PEG-Interferon lambda demonstrated robust

antiviral activity and was well tolerated in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis

C, " said Eleanor L. Ramos, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

of ZymoGenetics. " Because PEG-Interferon lambda binds to a unique receptor, it

has the potential to treat HCV without many of the treatment-limiting side

effects associated with current interferons. "

The EMERGE study is an international, randomized multi-center clinical trial

that will enroll approximately 50 patients in the first, open label portion that

will explore a wide range of doses to be tested in the second part of the study.

The second part of the study is designed to enroll approximately 500 patients.

Weekly subcutaneous doses of PEG-Interferon lambda will be administered for up

to 48 weeks. The study will assess the safety and antiviral efficacy of

PEG-Interferon lambda compared to PEGASYS®. All patients will also receive daily

ribavirin. The primary endpoint of the trial is the proportion of patients who

achieve undetectable levels of HCV RNA after 12 weeks of therapy (cEVR).

Sustained virological response (SVR) defined as undetectable levels of HCV 24

weeks after treatment will also be assessed.

PEG-Interferon lambda

PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) is a novel type 3 interferon in development for

hepatitis C. The native human protein Interferon lambda is generated by the

immune system in response to viral infection. In a Phase 1b clinical trial in

patients with relapsed HCV, administration of PEG-Interferon lambda over four

weeks in combination with ribavirin was shown to be well-tolerated and resulted

in significant antiviral activity.