ViroPharma says HCV-796 effective against multiple hepatitis genotypes

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29 - ViroPharma, Inc. released preclinical data on HCV-796, an orally dosed non-nucleoside hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor, which demonstrated that HCV-796 is a HCV-specific polymerase inhibitor and broadly effective against HCV polymerases derived from multiple HCV genotypes, including genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4.

Testing also concluded that viral variants produced in vitro that are less sensitive to HCV-796 are also less fit compared to wild type virus.

"These laboratory data are very exciting and continue to support observations from our clinical studies, namely that HCV-796 is a unique, potent and specific polymerase inhibitor that is broadly applicable to multiple genotypes of HCV, and enhances the antiviral effect of pegylated interferon. In addition, the demonstration that any less fit viruses selected by HCV-796 are susceptible to other HCV inhibitors highlights the potential for very effective future combination therapies to treat this disease," vice president of clinical research and development Stephen Villano said in a news release.

HCV-796 is completing phase 1b clinical testing in combination with pegylated interferon, and dosing will begin in phase 2 clinical trials in the fourth quarter of 2006.

ViroPharma is a biopharmaceutical company based in Exton, Pa.

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