ViroPharma, Wyeth phase 1b HCV-796 study reaches proof-of-concept milestone, triggers stock purchase

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 14 - ViroPharma Inc. and Wyeth said analyzed data from their ongoing phase 1b study of HCV-796 in combination with pegylated interferon indicate that HCV-796 has achieved a proof-of-concept milestone under the companies' agreements.

HCV-796 is an investigational oral non-nucleoside hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor.

Preliminary data from the study will be released by the end of August, with dosing in phase 2 combination studies of HCV-796 planned for fourth-quarter 2006, according to a company news release.

The milestone triggered the sale by ViroPharma to Wyeth of 981,836 shares of ViroPharma's common stock for a purchase price of $10 million.

"With HCV-796, we now have for the first time in our collaboration a unique compound with a novel mechanism of action that has achieved proof of concept in combination with pegylated interferon," Wyeth Pharmaceutical's president of research, Robert Ruffolo, said in the release.

The companies began their alliance to develop small molecule antiviral drug candidates for HCV in December 1999.

ViroPharma is a biopharmaceutical based in Exton, Pa.

Wyeth is a research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products company based in Madison, N.J.

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