Promising pharmacokinetic data from Idenix Pharmaceuticals' Phase I study of IDX320 for HCV

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDIX), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral diseases, today reported promising in vitro data for IDX320, an HCV protease inhibitor, demonstrating potent and selective antiviral activity in multiple genotypes, or strains, of the virus. The favorable pharmacokinetic profile defined in preclinical studies was confirmed by interim Phase I clinical data in healthy volunteers. Additional data presented demonstrated that a combination of three Idenix drug candidates, including IDX320, with different mechanisms of action produced strong synergy in vitro. These data support the evaluation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) combination regimens for the treatment of HCV.

"We are excited about the preclinical and first-in-man data presented today from the IDX320 program. With the in vitro potency and favorable pharmacokinetic profile seen to date combined with the potential for once-daily dosing and multi-genotypic coverage, we believe IDX320 could offer improvements over other protease inhibitors currently in development," said David Standring, Ph.D., Idenix's executive vice president, biology. "The Phase I single and multiple ascending dose clinical study in healthy volunteers is now complete, and we look forward to advancing IDX320 into a three-day proof-of-concept study expected to begin in the second quarter."

"The in vitro combination data presented today continue to support our belief that the future of HCV treatment will be a combination of direct-acting antivirals from different drug classes.  We are pursuing a drug development strategy to achieve that goal," said Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Idenix.

SOURCE Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.