Vertex Pharmaceuticals (MA) and Alios BioPharma Begin Clinical Studies of Nucleotide Drug Candidates ALS-2200 and ALS-2158 for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) and Alios BioPharma, Inc. today announced the initiation of two clinical studies for the nucleotide analogues ALS-2200 and ALS-2158, which are inhibitors of the hepatitis C NS5B polymerase. The studies will evaluate the safety and tolerability of ALS-2200 and ALS-2158 in healthy volunteers followed by a seven-day evaluation to observe the effects on viral kinetics in people with chronic genotype-1 hepatitis C. Data are expected in the second quarter of 2012, which could enable the initiation of studies to evaluate multiple all-oral, interferon-free combination regimens for chronic hepatitis C in the second half of 2012. Vertex has worldwide development and commercialization rights for ALS-2200 and ALS-2158, which were discovered by Alios BioPharma. Alios and Vertex are jointly conducting the Phase 1 studies announced today.