RG7227 and ITMN-191/InterMune gives promising mid-stage data on hep C drug

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RG7227 and ITMN-191/InterMune gives promising mid-stage data on hep C drug

InterMune Reports on Hepatitis C Treatment – Pre-Market Volume Interest Light at this Hour

07:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 04/14/2010 (MidnightTrader) — InterMune (ITMN) announced top-line results from the planned Week 12 interim analysis of the Phase 2b randomized, partially-blind study evaluating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor danoprevir (also known as RG7227 and ITMN-191), administered for 12 weeks in combination with PEGASYS (pegylated interferon alfa-2a) and COPEGUS (ribavirin), compared with placebo for the same duration plus PEGASYS and COPEGUS.The company said the results are "among the best reported by any DAA compound to date," reinforcing its view that danoprevir may potentially play a meaningful role in the treatment of HCV patients.

Says 88 pct patients showed virologic response on 300 mg* Says 89 pct show response on 600 mg* Serious adverse events were balanced* Shares up 2 pct premarketApril 14 (Reuters) - Biotechnology company InterMune Inc (ITMN.O) reported encouraging results from a mid-stage trial of its experimental treatment for hepatitis C.Results from the study showed the drug, danoprevir, which is being co-developed with Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX), delivered virologic response in 88 percent of patients treated under a 300 mg dosage for 12 weeks, InterMune said.The company said 89 percent of the patients showed virologic response in the 600 mg dosage arm.InterMune said it was now focused on making the critical dose and regimen selection decision for the development of the drug.The company said serious adverse events were generally balanced across all treatment groups in the interim

analysis.In November, InterMune had said it would discontinue testing in its 900 mg dose arm following elevated levels of ALT, an enzyme that indicates problems with the liver.On Wednesday, the company said in the treatment groups, ALT elevation occurred generally between weeks six to eight or later and this was reversible after the drug was discontinued.Shares of InterMune were up 2 percent at $48.90 in trading before the bell. They closed at $47.93 Tuesday on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Krishnakali Sengupta; Editing by Vinu Pilakkott)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE63D0BI20100414

http://Hepatitis Cnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2010/04/update-1-intermune-gives-promising-mid.html