Medivir AB (STO:MVIRB)(OMX: MVIR), the emerging research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, today announces the start of a phase Ib clinical trial with TMC649128 intended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
TMC649128 is a nucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor developed in collaboration with Tibotec Pharmaceuticals. TMC649128 has demonstrated an attractive pre-clinical profile and displays in vitro activity across multiple HCV genotypes and a high genetic barrier to resistance. A clinical phase Ia double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled single-ascending dose trial to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers has now successfully been completed.
The TMC649128 phase Ib study that now is underway is a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial in genotype 1 HCV-infected patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of multiple ascending doses of TMC649128 given as monotherapy and in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
It is anticipated that TMC649128 will be used in combination with other HCV direct acting antiviral agents, given its high genetic barrier to resistance and antiviral activity across multiple HCV genotypes.
"We are delighted to see TMC649128, our first HCV nucleoside inhibitor, advance into clinical phase Ib studies in HCV patients", stated Bertil Samuelsson, CSO of Medivir. "The start of this phase Ib trial underscores our commitment to develop new and innovative treatments for hepatitis C infected patients. We view nucleoside inhibitors, such as TMC649128, and protease inhibitors, such as TMC435, as cornerstone components of future direct acting antiviral combinations for HCV therapy."
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