Avila Therapeutics™, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel covalent drugs that treat diseases through protein silencing, presented results of preclinical studies on its highly selective, small molecule Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, AVL-181. Avila showed that AVL-181 promoted complete viral clearance in vitro when used at clinically-relevant concentrations in combination with other HCV therapies. Additionally, using an innovative technology for measuring the extent of covalent bond formation, Avila showed that AVL-181 bonds selectively and irreversibly to HCV protease in vivo in a novel rodent model, thus silencing a key protein necessary for successful viral replication and resulting in a prolonged duration of action in vivo. These new data were presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) international meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
"Our clinical candidate, AVL-181, demonstrated inhibition across multiple genotypes and drug-resistant mutations of the HCV protease. In addition, the data showing complete viral clearance in conjunction with other cutting edge therapies are striking,” said Katrine Bosley, Chief Executive Officer, Avila. "These data provide additional support for the clinical evaluation of AVL-181, and we are on track to advance into clinical development next year.”
In one presentation, “Potential for Rapid and Prolonged Therapeutic Benefit in HCV through Protein Silencing of NS3 Protease with AVL-181”, the data show that the orally-available, novel HCV protease inhibitor, AVL-181: